1.Understanding the COVID-19 Infodemic: Analyzing User-Generated Online Information During a COVID-19 Outbreak in Vietnam
Ha-Linh QUACH ; Thai Quang PHAM ; Ngoc-Anh HOANG ; Dinh Cong PHUNG ; Viet-Cuong NGUYEN ; Son Hong LE ; Thanh Cong LE ; Dang Hai LE ; Anh Duc DANG ; Duong Nhu TRAN ; Nghia Duy NGU ; Florian VOGT ; Cong-Khanh NGUYEN
Healthcare Informatics Research 2022;28(4):307-318
Objectives:
Online misinformation has reached unprecedented levels during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed the magnitude and sentiment dynamics of misinformation and unverified information about public health interventions during a COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang, Vietnam, between July and September 2020.
Methods:
We analyzed user-generated online information about five public health interventions during the Da Nang outbreak. We compared the volume, source, sentiment polarity, and engagements of online posts before, during, and after the outbreak using negative binomial and logistic regression, and assessed the content validity of the 500 most influential posts.
Results:
Most of the 54,528 online posts included were generated during the outbreak (n = 46,035; 84.42%) and by online newspapers (n = 32,034; 58.75%). Among the 500 most influential posts, 316 (63.20%) contained genuine information, 10 (2.00%) contained misinformation, 152 (30.40%) were non-factual opinions, and 22 (4.40%) contained unverifiable information. All misinformation posts were made during the outbreak, mostly on social media, and were predominantly negative. Higher levels of engagement were observed for information that was unverifiable (incidence relative risk [IRR] = 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33–0.62), posted during the outbreak (before: IRR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07–0.35; after: IRR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.63), and with negative sentiment (IRR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.23–2.75). Negatively toned posts were more likely to be misinformation (odds ratio [OR] = 9.59; 95% CI, 1.20–76.70) or unverified (OR = 5.03; 95% CI, 1.66–15.24).
Conclusions
Misinformation and unverified information during the outbreak showed clustering, with social media being particularly affected. This indepth assessment demonstrates the value of analyzing online “infodemics” to inform public health responses.
2.After-action reviews for emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks
Ha Linh Quach ; Khanh Cong Nguyen ; Florian Vogt
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2023;14(1):52-59
After-action reviews (AARs) are a qualitative evaluation methodology conducted after a public health event recommended by the World Health Organization. Of 86 screened articles, we identified eight using AARs to evaluate public health responses to infectious disease outbreaks. Our findings suggested the toolkit is suitable to evaluate responses to infectious disease outbreaks but needs to be adapted for use in particular settings.
3.Contribution of the Australian field epidemiology training workforce to the COVID-19 response, 2020
Amy Elizabeth Parry ; Charlee Law ; Davoud Pourmarzi ; Florian Vogt ; Emma Field ; Samantha Colquhoun
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2022;13(4):86-90
The aim of this study was to describe the scope of the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Programme's contributions to the COVID-19 response during the first 10 months of the pandemic, to assist with quantifying the impact they have had during the pandemic and inform future Master of Applied Epidemiology programme learning priorities.
4.Re-positive testing, clinical evolution and clearance of infection: results from COVID-19 cases in isolation in Viet Nam
Ngoc-Anh Hoang ; Thai Quang Pham ; Ha-Linh Quach ; Khanh Cong Nguyen ; Samantha Colquhoun ; Stephen Lambert ; Huy Luong Duong ; Dai Quang Tran ; Cong Dinh Phung ; Nhu Duong Tran ; Duy Nghia Ngu ; Anh Tu Tran ; Hue Bich Thi Nguyen ; Duc-Anh Dang ; Florian Vogt
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(4):82-92
Objectives:
Asymptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and test re-positivity after a negative test have raised concerns about the ability to effectively control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections during the second wave of COVID-19 in Viet Nam, and to better understand the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the dynamics between the evolution of clinical symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Methods:
We conducted a cohort analysis on the first 50 confirmed cases during the second COVID-19 wave in Viet Nam using clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data collected from 9 March to 30 April 2020. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to assess time to clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and log-rank tests were used to explore factors related to time to SARS-CoV-2 infection clearance.
Results:
Most cases (58%) had no typical signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of diagnosis. Ten cases (20%) were re-positive for SARS-CoV-2 during infection. Eight cases (16%) experienced COVID-19 symptoms after testing negative for SARS-CoV-2. The median duration from symptom onset until clearance of infection was 14 days (range: 6–31); it was longer in re-positive and older patients and those with pre-existing conditions.
Conclusion
Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections were common during the second wave of COVID-19 in Viet Nam. Re-positivity was frequent during hospitalization and led to a long duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection.