Media Tracking of Early COVID-19 Rumors and Sentiments in Africa

Abstract

Background: The increasing use of social media for discussing public health issues underscores the critical need for authorities to use digital tools for monitoring discussions and for risk communication during public health emergencies. Aim: This paper presents findings from the digital monitoring of discussions, rumors, and misinformation about COVID-19 by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the first few months of the pandemic using the digital rumor monitoring system. Methods: Africa CDC tracked rumors and misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic using the digital rumor monitoring system from March to November 2020. Traditional media analysis was conducted using African media and human-curated aggregation of open-source content from various African sources. Social media analysis was conducted using geo-located African Twitter and Facebook sources, resulting in a set of content from the media. Results: Critical sentiments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic were observed in Africa between March and September 2020, which drove rumors, misinformation, criticisms, and resistance to response effort. Key among these were sentiments against government and health authorities, sentiments regarding the existence of COVID-19, sentiments towards alternative medicine or organic cure for COVID-19, sentiments against the strict prevention measures, sentiments regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine, and sentiments against the World Health Organization. Conclusion: These findings are of significance to public health authorities and decision-makers in Africa. As they focus on providing medical solutions through laboratory tests, treatment, and vaccination during public health emergencies, they need to invest in similar platforms to generate evidence for risk communication and community engagement. They should include digital monitoring of public health discussions as an essential part of public health response.