Infodemic Management in Iran: A Necessity to Control and response to COVID-19

Infodemic Management

Authors

  • Sara Dakhesh PhD Student in Knowledge and Information Science, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
  • Mojgan Zareivenovel PhD Student in the Medical Librarianship and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Ali Hamidi Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Library and Information Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has spread from Wuhan, China in December 2019. The world will be accompanied by a tsunami of information. Therefore, it can be stated that we have been encountered "infodemic" through the Covid-19 global crisis. “We’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. COVID-19 epidemic has been spreaded in Iran, in February 2020. According to a general classifications, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) of Iran actions to manage infodemic presented in five major domains; a) Releasing guidelines and protocol; b) Launching systems, websites and applications; c) Allocation of call center; d) Educational program on national TV and the Media; e) Establishment of different national campaigns. In order to have effective infodemic management, two phases are recommended; 1) Disseminate accurate and timely information through official channels and resources. 2) Educate the necessary skills to the information stakeholders. These skills include information literacy, media literacy, and health literacy.

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Published

12.09.2020

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 4 (2020): Gazi Medical Journal

Section

Editorial Note