Medical students and doctors’ perceptions toward COVID‑19 health communication on social media
Volume 12, Issue 2, Winter 2022, Pages 1-12
. Resiana Citra, . Rizma Adlia Syakurah
Abstract BACKGROUND: Ineffective health communication could cause the increase of COVID‑19 cases
in Indonesia. Medical students can involve in efforts in health communication on social media to
positively impact prevention behaviors during a pandemic. This study aims to identify and analyze
medical students’ and internship doctors’ perceptions toward health communication related to
COVID‑19 through social media.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed method with exploratory sequential used. A qualitative study
was done using phenomenology approach through deep and semi‑structured interviewing. After data
analysis, the draft of the instrument prepared. Items in the draft selected based on the respondents’
answer. Then, a quantitative cross‑sectional study was used. The data obtained from 399 medical
students and doctors at a University in Indonesia using Google Form on October 14 to October 20, 2020
through media social. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Chi‑square (alternative: Fisher’s
exact test) and logistic regression analysis with P < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval, respectively.
RESULTS: Based on interview, respondents communicate health on social media because the
condition of COVID‑19 in Indonesia is dangerous, feel vulnerable to COVID‑19, understand the
benefits, obligations, or responsibilities as a candidate and/or medical personnel and believe they
can create content/find valid sources. Meanwhile, the perception of limited knowledge is their biggest
obstacle in conducting health communication. There were a relationship between gender (P = 0.028,
PR = 0.657), perceived severity (P = 0.044, PR (Prevalence Ratio) =4.844 [0.725–32,354]), perceived
susceptibility (P = 0.005, PR = 1.803 [1.182–2.750]), perceived barrier (P < 0.001, PR = 2.543 [1.908–
3.388]), and self‑efficacy (P = 0.012, PR = 1.810 [1.120–2.926]) with health communication behavior.
The perceived barrier (P < 0.001, RR = 4.278 [2.709–6.754]) and perceived susceptibility (P = 0.004,
PR = 2.304 [1.302–4.077]) were the most influenced behavior.
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived
barrier, and self‑efficacy are predictor factors of health communication behavior related to COVID‑19
on social media with perceptions of susceptibility and perceived barriers as the most influential
variables. It is necessary to provide communication learning on social media as effectively and
applied directly to reduce perceived barriers and increase self‑efficacy.