Netizens' Perception of COVID-19 Information & Information Sources.

Perceptions of Netizens Regarding COVID-19 Information & Information Sources: A Cross Sectional Study

COVID-19 Infection was characterized as a Pandemic by WHO on the 11th of March 2020.1 After this there were all possible worldwide efforts to increase awareness in the general population about the COVID-19 Infection signs, symptoms, mode of transmission and prevention. The information was spread across all possible mass media communication channels. There were constant updates regarding the data of newly infected cases, deaths, and recoveries. This cross sectional study is conducted with the following objectives:

1. To understand the netizens perception regarding the sources of information available on COVID-19.
2. To understand the netizens populations perception regarding the available information on COVID-19.

Mass media plays a significant role in public outreach and create awareness. Various mass media has their individual reach to the general public. In the current world of information technology availability of information is not an issue. There is in fact excessive availability of information. What makes a big difference is that RIGHT information delivery on RIGHT time and within RIGHT time. After WHO characterized COVID-19 infection as pandemic, mass media played a significant role in creating awareness regarding COVID-19 infection signs, symptoms, mode of transmission and its prevention. There were constant updates in various mass media regarding the data of newly infected cases, deaths, and recoveries. COVID-19 Pandemic has created fears, anxiety, and worries among the general population. There was information given to general public regarding treatment drugs and possibility of vaccine for COVID-19 infection. This created a ray of hope in many. So information in various mass media sources had different types of impact on general population thoughts.

This cross sectional study is conducted with the following objectives:

1. To understand the general populations perception regarding the sources of information available on COVID-19.
2. To understand the general populations perception regarding the available information on COVID-19.

This Cross sectional study utilizes an electronic google form to get responses from netizens of Al Qassim province of Saudi Arabia regarding the perception of COVID-19 information and information sources. All the questions in the survey are compulsory answerable questions. The settings in the google form are set so that a single respondent can limit the survey response to single time. The Survey Questionnaire contained following sections:

Section I: Minimum required personal details Section II: 10 Questions regarding the source of COVID-19 information Section III: 6 Questions regarding perception of the COVID-19 information

The questionnaire also carried the following disclaimer:

"This Survey will not Collect your Name, Email, Location, and Phone number. We pledge that the data obtained by this survey is for Educational purpose & scientific knowledge enhancement only. The data will not be transferred or shared with any other third party for commercial interest."

The very first part of the Questionnaires seeks responders' consent for giving responses to the survey questions. participation Section II & III contained all closed ended questions. The Google form link is shared to the netizens of Al Qassim province across relevant Social media platforms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and Female Human volunteer internet users who belong &/or reside in Al Qassim province region of Saudi Arabia.
• Volunteers should be major by age (18 years and above).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Minor age group (<18 years) subjects are excluded from the study.
• Internet users who have preexisting phobia and/or anxiety mental conditions are excluded from the study.
• Internet users who are currently under treatment for their preexisting phobia and/or anxiety mental conditions are excluded from the study.