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Impaired Perceptions and Conspiracy Beliefs about the Way of Emergence of the COVID-19 Infection

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  • Aysen Kutan Fenercioglu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey)

  • Gunay Can

    (Department of Public Health, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey)

  • Nurver Turfaner Sipahioglu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey)

  • Osman Demir

    (Family Healthcare Centre, Kagithane No. 10, Istanbul 34400, Turkey)

  • Semih Gulluoglu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey)

  • Iyigun Gedik

    (Department of Family Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey)

  • Gul Ece Altintas

    (Family Healthcare Centre, Fatih No. 7, Istanbul 34104, Turkey)

  • Asena Cosgun

    (Family Healthcare Centre, Kartal No. 7, Istanbul 34862, Turkey)

  • Zekiye Gurcan

    (Family Healthcare Centre, Besiktas No. 7, Istanbul 34337, Turkey)

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the perceptions and conspiracy theories surrounding the new coronavirus infection. We aimed to explore associations between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs with recommended health protective attitudes and sociodemographic features among the Turkish population. A questionnaire consisting of seven items about COVID-19 conspiracy theories and perceptions and ten items about attitudes was given to patients and their relatives in five different centres during the second national lockdown in Istanbul. A chi-square test was used to evaluate the associations of disease perceptions and conspiracy beliefs with sociodemographic features and with health protective attitudes. Logistic regression analysis was performed for significant results. Of 483 participants, 242 (50.1%) were found to have a conspiracy belief. Conspiracy theories were more frequent in the participants who were older than 50 years of age ( p = 0.009) (OR: 1.83) and less frequent in higher education levels ( p = 0.005) (OR: 0.499). In addition, 6.6% of the participants were infected with COVID-19, but having the infection was found to have no effect on disease perceptions or conspiracy beliefs. Wearing a mask in crowds, avoiding shaking hands and kissing, and washing hands were less frequent among conspiracy believers and participants with impaired perceptions. These results indicate that misconceptions and conspiracy beliefs are driving the adoption of disinformation about the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Aysen Kutan Fenercioglu & Gunay Can & Nurver Turfaner Sipahioglu & Osman Demir & Semih Gulluoglu & Iyigun Gedik & Gul Ece Altintas & Asena Cosgun & Zekiye Gurcan, 2022. "Impaired Perceptions and Conspiracy Beliefs about the Way of Emergence of the COVID-19 Infection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5557-:d:807951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert West & Susan Michie & G. James Rubin & Richard Amlôt, 2020. "Applying principles of behaviour change to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 451-459, May.
    2. Malik Sallam & Deema Dababseh & Alaa’ Yaseen & Ayat Al-Haidar & Nidaa A. Ababneh & Faris G. Bakri & Azmi Mahafzah, 2020. "Conspiracy Beliefs Are Associated with Lower Knowledge and Higher Anxiety Levels Regarding COVID-19 among Students at the University of Jordan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-15, July.
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    1. Sara Staszak & Julia Maciejowska & Wiktoria Urjasz & Tomasz Misiuro & Andrzej Cudo, 2022. "The Relationship between the Need for Closure and Coronavirus Fear: The Mediating Effect of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.

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