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The Study on Public-Interest Short Message Service (SMS) in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mobile User Survey and Content Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiyuan Yu

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Yanghongyun Liu

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Yongan Yu

    (School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Hongju Han

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Yalin Li

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China)

Abstract

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has greatly threatened the global health system and triggered the public health emergency. In order to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and prevention information have been delivered through omni-media channels (e.g., television, radio, social platform, etc.). As a traditional outlet, the short message service (SMS) can timely provide abundant anti-epidemic alerts to mobile users. In this paper, we aim to investigate mobile users’ attitudes toward COVID-19 public-interest SMS sent from government authorities and then explore the insight from messaging texts collected between January and April 2020 in China. In general, respondents show a positive attitude towards content and the necessity of public-interest SMS during the pandemic. However, we find that gender and age differences not only affect content evaluation, but also influence reading and forwarding behaviors. For the necessity of SMS, it shows significant difference between the 18–25-year-old and over 40-year-old group, with the middle and elder group showing serious attitudes and giving higher remarks than the youth due to the habits of media usage. However no significant difference is presented between females and males. In terms of content, the category of topics and releasing institutions are analyzed, respectively. Due to the centralized responses and coordination of prevention and control in China, the messages from COVID-19 disposal organizations (e.g., municipal steering group and provincial CDC) account for more than 70% among four cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyuan Yu & Yanghongyun Liu & Yongan Yu & Hongju Han & Yalin Li, 2021. "The Study on Public-Interest Short Message Service (SMS) in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mobile User Survey and Content Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7915-:d:601931
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    1. Vladimir M. Cvetković & Neda Nikolić & Una Radovanović Nenadić & Adem Öcal & Eric K. Noji & Miodrag Zečević, 2020. "Preparedness and Preventive Behaviors for a Pandemic Disaster Caused by COVID-19 in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Griffin, Timothy, 2010. "An empirical examination of AMBER Alert 'successes'," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 1053-1062, September.
    3. Zhongliang Zhou & Yanfang Su & Jesse Heitner & Yafei Si & Dan Wang & Zhiying Zhou & Changzheng Yuan, 2020. "The Effects on Inappropriate Weight for Gestational Age of an SMS Based Educational Intervention for Pregnant Women in Xi’an China: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-11, February.
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    1. Sabine Sayegh-Jodehl & Rebecca Mukowski-Kickhöfel & Diane Linke & Claudia Müller-Birn & Matthias Rose, 2022. "Use of Instant Messaging Software in a German Hospital—An Exploratory Investigation among Physicians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.

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