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

Sandhu, Sanvir; Wilson, Emma; Chattopadhyay, Kaushik

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.

Citation

Sandhu, S., Wilson, E., & Chattopadhyay, K. (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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(20), Article 6903. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206903

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 4, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 10, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 5, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 11, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 20
• Article Number: 6903
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206903
• Keywords: public health; social media; COVID-19; health promotion; e-health; digital health; health literacy
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25679767
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/20/6903