Document Type : Editorial
Authors
1 Behavioral Science Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran
4 Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Pediatrics, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
6 Department of Infectious Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
8 Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
9 Department of Radiology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10 Quran and Hadith Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
11 Department of Orthopedics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords
The world seems to be embroiled in a full-fledged media war in which "fear" is highlighted rather than discussions about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Despite all the current data, little is known about the real figures of COVID-19, and ignorance breeds fear all over the world, particularly in Iran. While media images are rapidly circulating and COVID-19 has become propaganda in many regions due to coronavirus rumors, one fear is in the public mind about mortality rates reported elsewhere.1, 2
In the face of emergencies, a more interdisciplinary and cross-sectorial approach is of great importance for curtailing COVID-19 outbreak, which would, in turn, lead to a minimization of the damage. Transparency in reports and actions is also very important.3
The concept of health communication is of great importance. Now, in addition to trying to send scientific exchanges by traditional venues (e.g., journals and conferences), it must be explained to the public what really happened or is happening in public language (jargon and insider language) instead of scientific terminology, providing opportunities for engaging public audiences without customization. In other words, it is important to get a real perspective of the disease, such as initial estimates of epidemiological parameters, risk of acquiring infection, human-to-human transmission, and epidemic forecasts by considering what the public is hearing and practicing health communication. To a non-specialist, most specific terms in scientific language are not clear. Therefore, mass media can be targeted by representatives using a science communication approach and problem-based learning sessions, where a synergistic collaboration of multiple disciplines can be considered under the terms of One Health by human and animal health agencies, national organizations’ downstream sectors, and scientific societies to underpin public health awareness based on reliable information.
Efforts at communicating information about infectious diseases should consider media outreach and community meetings. Moreover, an increased shift in special media sources in many parts of the world, including Internet use (e.g., websites), social media (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.), and Internet contacts can be of great importance for community engagement strategies based on infectious disease communication; other sources of health information, such as text alerts, artistic brochure design, and apps, are also easy strategies in this regard. Of course, the credibility of a source and the issue of trust are markedly encouraged by providing communication strategies.
There is always the fear of creating anxiety because of uncertainty about the status of infectious diseases,4 particularly COVID-19. The concept of beliefs by anthropologists has been defined as emic (i.e. insider views) as opposed to it (i.e. outer views).5 These concepts must be taken into account in providing health communication practice and other interventions, as a series of rumors can turn people's beliefs into a cause for fear and anxiety. For example, the outsider view is that COVID-19 was genetically classified to be close to SARS-related coronaviruses of horseshoe bats.6 Social media has fueled uncertainty in Iran, where the rumor has spread among the public population.
Therefore, the provision of reliable and trusted communication channels based on public perceptions and reactions are of great importance, where framing messages can be effectively helpful in increasing public knowledge.7
On the other hand, the COVID-19 epidemic has provoked discriminatory behavior against individuals who are thought to have been exposed to the virus. This pandemic revealed that just thinking about oneself cannot be effective in protecting from disease, because it is affected by the health of the whole society and requires cooperative spirit, cooperation in dealing; irresponsible behaviors can endanger family, society, country, and the world.
Therefore, at the anthropological level, a series of filters (conceptual differences, cultural meanings, linguistic patterns, generations, and socioeconomic conditions) should also be taken into consideration for health communication to understand what the public is hearing about infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19). For example, infectious disease communication may interfere with local customs, barriers, and constraints8 (e.g., local behavior patterns, literacy and economic status, etc.), because they are associated with access to various information sources.5 Understanding what the public population is hearing in the light of cultural variations, feasibility of behaviors and other aforementioned issues are needed to be considered for health communication actions in terms of infectious disease outbreak, particularly COVID-19.
Conclusion
Experts and the public alike need to do our duty to avoid being part of the problem or a super-spreader of false news or rumors about COVID-19. The importance of infection disease communication can be highlighted in the light of reputable sources by providing reliable and trusted communication channels (e.g., the advice of public health experts). Therefore, what the public is hearing about infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) needs to be taken into consideration by scientists for effective health communication. Facilitating the free flow of data surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak (free-to-access resource) through credible data from journals can be helpful in translating this information to people's languages.
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