Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40196858›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

From fear to facts: a multi-channel approach to information seeking amid influenza-like illness outbreaks.

Shenghao Qi, Jen Sern Tham, Moniza Waheed, Norliana Hashim

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Shenghao QiDepartment of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Jen Sern ThamDepartment of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Moniza WaheedDepartment of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Norliana HashimDepartment of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: During recurrent large-scale influenza-like illness (ILI) crises, the factors influencing the information-seeking intentions of Chinese individuals across multiple channels during crises remain underexplored. Objective: Guided by the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study proposes a modified RISP model to comprehensively analyze information-seeking intentions through the lens of risk communication. Methods: To empirically validate the proposed research model, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 2,604 Chinese citizens aged 18 years and older. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and ordinary least squares regression analysis were employed to analyze the survey data. Results: Our findings revealed that during ILI crises, Chinese individuals experienced a spectrum of emotions; as perceived risk increased, negative emotions intensified while positive emotions decreased. Increased negative emotions correlated with a greater sense of information insufficiency, whereas heightened positive emotions correlated with a reduced perception of it. Consequently, Chinese individuals facing information deficiencies were more inclined to seek information from diverse sources, including interpersonal sources, traditional media, search engines, and social media. Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that stronger beliefs in channel complementary strengthened the relationship between information insufficiency and information-seeking intention across multiple channels (access to medical expertise belief, tailorability belief, convenience belief, anonymity belief). Conclusion: This study outlines a pathway for advancing the RISP model and offers practical strategies for effective risk communication to mitigate risks and enhance public perception and behavior. It also discusses implications for health communication, promotion, and behavior change.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksFearInfluenza, HumanInformation Seeking BehaviorAdolescentAdultAgedChinaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultChinainfluenza-like illness (ILI)information-seeking intentionsmultichannel information seekingrisk information seeking and processing model (RISP)

Identifiers

PMID40196858
PMCPMC11973319

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.