COVID-19–Induced Fear in Infoveillance Studies: Pilot Meta-analysis Study of Preliminary Results (Preprint)

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> The World Health Organization named the phenomenon of misinformation spread through social media as an “&lt;i&gt;infodemic&lt;/i&gt;” and recognized the need to curb it. Misinformation infodemics undermine not only population safety but also compliance to the suggestions and prophylactic measures recommended during pandemics. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The aim of this pilot study is to review the impact of social media on general population fear in “&lt;i&gt;infoveillance&lt;/i&gt;” studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol was followed, and 6 out of 20 studies were retrieved, meta-analyzed, and had their findings presented in the form of a forest plot. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> The summary random and significant event rate was 0.298 (95% CI 0.213-0.400), suggesting that social media–circulated misinformation related to COVID-19 triggered public fear and other psychological manifestations. These findings merit special attention by public health authorities. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Infodemiology and infoveillance are valid tools in the hands of epidemiologists to help prevent dissemination of false information, which has potentially damaging effects. </sec>