Use of social media for COVID-19-related information and associated factors among health professionals in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Digital health 2022-07, Vol.8, p.205520762211133-20552076221113394
• Main Authors: Tegegne, Masresha Derese, Endehabtu, Berhanu Fikadie, Klein, Jorn, Gullslett, Monika Knudsen, Yilma, Tesfahun Melese
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-sectional studies; Internet access; Medical personnel; Social networks; Special Collection on Covid-19
• ISSN: 2055-2076; 2055-2076
• DOI: 10.1177/20552076221113394

Background Social media has become an alternative platform for communication during medical crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess social media usage for COVID-19-related information among health professionals. Method A quantitative cross-sectional study design was conducted among 370 health professionals. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis techniques were used to describe respondents’ social media usage for COVID-19 information and identify its associated factors. Results About 54% (95% CI: 48–58%) of the participants had good social media usage for COVID-19-related information. Age≤30 (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.14–3.58), Wi-Fi/broadband Internet access (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.38–4.33), taking computer training (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.37–4.85), basic computer skill (AOR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.71–6.29), and usefulness of social media (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.57–8.04) were found to be the significant factors associated with usage of social media for COVID-19-related information. Conclusion The present study confirms that more than half of health professionals had good social media usage for COVID-19-related information. This shows that social media platforms can be used as a source of COVID-19-related information for health professionals if basic computer training is offered, internet connection is available in the workplace, and the usefulness of social media is emphasized.