RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 What contributes to COVID-19 online disinformation among Black Canadians: a qualitative study
JF CMAJ Open
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E389
OP E396
DO 10.9778/cmajo.20220197
VO 11
IS 3
A1 Janet Kemei
A1 Dominic A. Alaazi
A1 Adedoyin Olanlesi-Aliu
A1 Modupe Tunde-Byass
A1 Ato Sekyi-Otu
A1 Habiba Mohamud
A1 Bukola Salami
YR 2023
UL http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/11/3/E389.abstract
AB Background: Black Canadians are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the literature suggests that online disinformation and misinformation contribute to higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine hesitancy in Black communities in Canada. Through stakeholder interviews, we sought to describe the nature of COVID-19 online disinformation among Black Canadians and identify the factors contributing to this phenomenon.Methods: We conducted purposive sampling followed by snowball sampling and completed in-depth qualitative interviews with Black stakeholders with insights into the nature and impact of COVID-19 online disinformation and misinformation in Black communities. We analyzed data using content analysis, drawing on analytical resources from intersectionality theory.Results: The stakeholders (n = 30, 20 purposively sampled and 10 recruited by way of snowball sampling) reported sharing of COVID-19 online disinformation and misinformation in Black Canadian communities, involving social media interaction among family, friends and community members and information shared by prominent Black figures on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Our data analysis shows that poor communication, cultural and religious factors, distrust of health care systems and distrust of governments contributed to COVID-19 disinformation and misinformation in Black communities.Interpretation: Our findings suggest racism and underlying systemic discrimination against Black Canadians immensely catalyzed the spread of disinformation and misinformation in Black communities across Canada, which exacerbated the health inequities Black people experienced. As such, using collaborative interventions to understand challenges within the community to relay information about COVID-19 and vaccines could address vaccine hesitancy.