Proliferation and Impacts of Health Misinformation on Social Media During COVID-19 in Kenya

Abstract

The chapter investigates the effects of online health misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. The COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by voluminous information. Much of it is unverified information resulting in misinformation. The production and consumption of false information relating to the disease have affected the health sector in Kenya and worldwide. The study employed a systematic review of COVID-19 published articles, published between September 2021 and September 2022. The systematic review looked broadly at online misinformation in the COVID-19 era, including aspects of information disorder and the effects of health-related misinformation. The chapter revealed that social media tools contribute significantly to misinformation and that adverse effects are realised when the public does not get the correct health information. The chapter concludes that healthcare organisations should launch common health platforms to disseminate accurate information to the public. In addition, regulatory bodies should put in place ways to filter information produced and consumed.