Measurement, Characterization, and Mapping of COVID-19 Misinformation in Spain: Cross-Sectional Study
This study highlights the important role of determinants of susceptibility to COVID-19 misinformation that go beyond purely socioeconomic and ideological factors. Although these factors are relevant in explaining the social reproduction of this phenomenon, some determinants are linked to the use of social media (ie, searching and sharing of alternative health information) and probably the political disaffection of citizens who have stopped believing in both the ideologically centrist mainstream parties and the institutions that represent them. Furthermore, by establishing the profile and geographic distribution of the convinced, hesitant, and skeptical groups, our results provide useful insights for public health interventions. Specific strategies should focus on restoring institutional trust, promoting reliable sources of information, and addressing structural drivers of health misinformation linked to gender inequalities.
Authors
- Angelos P. Kassianos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6428-2623)
- Paloma Sanz‐Marcos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6103-6993)
- Maribel Serrano-Macías (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1221-3989)
- Ilaria Montagni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0076-0010)
- Antonio Rojas‐García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7792-4311)
- Carolina Lagares (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8715-7419)
- Jesús Carretero-Bravo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3524-9565)
- Esther Ortega‐Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5182-1824)
- Helena De Sola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0196-4875)
- Javier Álvarez‐Gálvez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9512-7853)
- José Almenara Barrios (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0654-2508)
- María Camacho-García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0506-914X)
Institutions
- Université de Bordeaux (FR)
- Inserm (FR)
- Cyprus University of Technology (CY)
- Universidad de Granada (ES)
- Universidad Loyola Andalucía (ES)
- Universidad de Cádiz (ES)
- Bordeaux Population Health (FR)
- Hospital Jerez Puerta del Sur (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JMIR Infodemiology
- Published
- 2025-06-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.2196/69945
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Misinformation and Its Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 12.60