Public Engagement and Government Responsiveness in the Communications About COVID-19 During the Early Epidemic Stage in China: Infodemiology Study on Social Media Data

• DOI: 10.2196/18796
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15T00:23:25Z
• Authors: Qiuyan Liao; Jiehu Yuan; Meihong Dong; Lin Yang; Richard Fielding; Wendy Wing Tak Lam
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis

Background Effective risk communication about the outbreak of a newly emerging infectious disease in early stage is critical for managing public anxiety and promoting behavioral compliance. China has experienced unprecedented epidemic coronavirus (COVID-19) an era when social media fundamentally transformed information production consumption patterns. Objective This study examined engagement government responsiveness communications COVID-19 during based on analysis data from Sina Weibo, major platform China. Methods Weibo relevant to December 1, 2019, January 31, 2020, were retrieved. Engagement (likes, comments, shares, followers) posts agency accounts extracted evaluate with online. Content analyses conducted random subset 644 personal individuals, 273 10 relatively more active National Health Commission identify thematic contents online discussions. Latent class further explored main content patterns, chi-square trend how proportions patterns changed by time within frame. Results The response seemed follow spread actions but was earlier than government. Online users generally had low accounts. common identified included sharing situations; general knowledge new disease; policies, guidelines, official actions. However, likely show empathy affected people (χ21=13.3, P<.001), attribute blame other individuals or (χ21=28.9, express worry (χ21=32.1, while share instrumental support (χ21=32.5, P<.001) praise organizations (χ21=8.7, P=.003). As evolved, situation updates (for trend, χ21=19.7, χ21=15.3, became less frequent remained stable increased significantly posts. Moreover, as showing attributing χ21=25.3, posts, corresponding slight increase support, praising, empathizing χ21=9.0, Conclusions should closely monitor improve timing epidemic. evolves, merely policies may be insufficient capture interest messages. adopt empathic style are address concerns.