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Perceptions and Experiences of Undergraduate Students Regarding Social Media as a Tool for Government COVID-19-Related Messages: A Qualitative Study in Nottingham, UK

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  • Sanvir Sandhu

    (Nottingham Centre for Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
    Centre for Interprofessional Education and Learning, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Emma Wilson

    (Nottingham Centre for Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
    Nottingham Centre for Evidence Based Healthcare, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Kaushik Chattopadhyay

    (Nottingham Centre for Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
    Nottingham Centre for Evidence Based Healthcare, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

Abstract

The rise of social media has given way to its use as a form of public health communication. Previous research has shown social media-based interventions to be effective, particularly for university students. Social media was used as a tool for public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there is a lack of information regarding the experiences and perceptions of such messaging and its effectiveness among UK university students. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of public health messaging on social media during the pandemic, as well as the effects of such messaging. Fourteen semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students at the University of Nottingham, UK, were conducted. Five main themes were identified: effects of COVID-19 on university students, use of social media by university students, COVID-19 messaging on social media, effects of public health messaging on social media in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, and improving public health messaging for the future. This study provides a novel insight into the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate students at a UK university regarding public health messaging on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanvir Sandhu & Emma Wilson & Kaushik Chattopadhyay, 2023. "Perceptions and Experiences of Undergraduate Students Regarding Social Media as a Tool for Government COVID-19-Related Messages: A Qualitative Study in Nottingham, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:20:p:6903-:d:1256468
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
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    3. Tina Cheng & Braxtyn Horbay & Rochelle Nocos & Lesley Lutes & Scott A Lear, 2021. "The Role of Tailored Public Health Messaging to Young Adults during COVID-19: “There’s a lot of ambiguity around what it means to be safe”," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Breland, J.Y. & Quintiliani, L.M. & Schneider, K.L. & May, C.N. & Pagoto, S., 2017. "Social Media as a Tool to Increase the Impact of Public Health Research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(12), pages 1890-1891.
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