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Introduction <p>The rapid spread of health misinformation on social media poses a major public health concern.</p> Aim <p>This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding health misinformation among adult Malaysian social media users and identify associated factors.</p> Subject and methods <p>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Malaysian adults (aged 18&#xa0;years and above) who used social media, recruited via convenience sampling. A validated self-administered questionnaire was utilized to measure knowledge (score 0–11; ≥ 9 = good), attitude (score 5–25; ≥ 20 = positive), and practices (ignoring vs. taking action). Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of KAP.</p> Results <p>A total of 390 respondents participated in the study. The majority were women (67.2%), with a mean age of 35.9&#xa0;years (SD = 12.53), and more than half (58.2%) had a first-degree education. Among 390 participants, 55.4% had good knowledge, 79% positive attitudes, and 60.5% ignored misinformation. Good knowledge was associated with tertiary education (AOR = 9.720, 95% CI: 2.180–43.329). Positive attitudes were linked to good knowledge (AOR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.119–3.153). Taking action was associated with younger age (AOR = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.952–0.991) and positive attitudes (AOR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.007–2.985).</p> Conclusion <p>Knowledge and attitudes were moderate to high, yet most respondents ignored misinformation. Multidisciplinary educational initiatives are needed, particularly among older adults and those with negative attitudes.</p>

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Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding health misinformation among active social media users in Malaysia

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月18日

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  • Sharmila Sathianathan,
  • Adliah Mhd Ali,
  • Wei Wen Chong

摘要

Introduction

The rapid spread of health misinformation on social media poses a major public health concern.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding health misinformation among adult Malaysian social media users and identify associated factors.

Subject and methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Malaysian adults (aged 18 years and above) who used social media, recruited via convenience sampling. A validated self-administered questionnaire was utilized to measure knowledge (score 0–11; ≥ 9 = good), attitude (score 5–25; ≥ 20 = positive), and practices (ignoring vs. taking action). Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of KAP.

Results

A total of 390 respondents participated in the study. The majority were women (67.2%), with a mean age of 35.9 years (SD = 12.53), and more than half (58.2%) had a first-degree education. Among 390 participants, 55.4% had good knowledge, 79% positive attitudes, and 60.5% ignored misinformation. Good knowledge was associated with tertiary education (AOR = 9.720, 95% CI: 2.180–43.329). Positive attitudes were linked to good knowledge (AOR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.119–3.153). Taking action was associated with younger age (AOR = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.952–0.991) and positive attitudes (AOR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.007–2.985).

Conclusion

Knowledge and attitudes were moderate to high, yet most respondents ignored misinformation. Multidisciplinary educational initiatives are needed, particularly among older adults and those with negative attitudes.