Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian health care workers about infodemic management: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Misinformation (infodemics) can hinder effective healthcare delivery. This study assessed Iranian healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding infodemic management (IM). Method: A cross-sectional survey using a self-reported questionnaire (KAPIM) distributed via convenience sampling to 1890 HCWs across all Iranian Medical Sciences Universities. Results: The results showed that healthcare workers demonstrated overall KAP scores with a mean of 3.38 out of 5. Knowledge scores were 63.01%, attitude scores were 74.23%, and practice scores were lower at 55.76%. There were positive correlations between age and work experience with both knowledge and attitude scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest a gap between HCWs’ knowledge/attitude and practice regarding IM. Targeted interventions emphasizing practical skills are needed. Considering demographics and regional variations is crucial when developing training programs for enhanced infodemic preparedness across the Iranian healthcare system.