Public engagement with pictures and videos about COVID-19 vaccination on social media: A cross-sectional study in a developing country

Abstract

Vaccination is a critical component of preventing infectious diseases and is one of the most effective public health interventions. While social media is an essential source of health and medical information, it is crucial to understand the link between social media involvement and vaccination engagement. This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and social media in Iraq. A web-based questionnaire was administered through Google Forms to elicit responses from a total of 2088 Iraqi social media users aged 18 years and over. The findings suggested significant differences in vaccination engagement due to the level of use of social media and demographic backgrounds, particularly age, educational attainment, and income. Active users and young-aged groups with less educational level and income were more likely to have a positive attitude toward vaccination. Future studies should address demographics and the extent of using social media factors in public health studies. Our findings support the use of social media in raising health awareness.