Adolescent girls’ perceptions of the COVID-19 infodemic in Sierra Leone: trust, misinformation, and ways forward.

Sierra Leone’s adolescent girls faced the challenges of the COVID-19 infodemic with a mix of trust and scepticism. A qualitative study conducted by the Institute for Development (IfD), in collaboration with the College of Medicine and Allied Sciences at the University of Sierra Leone and the School of Community Health Sciences at Njala University, provides insight into their views.

A diverse landscape of information

• Urban areas: Schools, particularly teachers, were a trusted source of information.
• Peri-urban areas: Radios and local chiefs were the most trusted sources.
• Rural areas: Health workers and radio were seen as reliable.

Health workers were highly trusted across all three settings. In contrast, social media was largely distrusted.

Learning from past experiences

The study highlights the importance of using past experiences to identify and understand the shifts in trust and information sources. The newfound trust in health workers, attributed to their professionalism and benevolence, contrasts sharply with the fear and mistrust during the Ebola crisis. This shift demonstrates how trust can be built through consistent and credible communication.

Making social media reliable

To transform social media from a source of ‘congosa’ (gossip) into a credible information platform, we can apply strategies that worked for health workers:

• Consistent communication: Regular updates from trusted and authoritative sources can build a reliable presence.
• Teach people to verify sources: Educate adolescents on how to check the credibility of online information.
• Counteract misinformation: Actively debunk false claims by engaging with the community, answering questions, and addressing concerns.

The path forward

Understanding the complex interplay of trust, misinformation, and cultural context is crucial for improving public health responses and ensuring communities are better prepared for future health crises. This research highlights the power of trust and the importance of tailored communication in navigating public health challenges.

For more detailed insights and findings, check out the full study on adolescent girls’ perceptions of the COVID-19 infodemic in Sierra Leone:

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/7/e080308.citation-tools