The Association between COVID-19 Media Literacy and the Fear of COVID-19 among Students During Coronavirus Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of the Covid-19 epidemic in Iran is associated with many psychological and social effects. This study aimed to examine the association between COVID-19 media literacy and the fear of COVID-19 among students during the coronavirus crisis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted on 300 students of Hamadan Universities which were selected with a multistage sampling method. To collect the data, the COVID-19 media literacy scale (C-19MLS) and the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) were used. Data were obtained using the SPSS software Version 23 and descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Pearson Correlation test, and regression analysis test were used. Results: As the study results, the mean score of the Fear of COVID-19 was 11.88 +/- 4.34; also, the mean score of COVID-19 media literacy was 71.64 +/- 11.36, respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 had a negative and significant correlation with the dimensions and total COVID-19 media literacy (P <0.001). Based on the simple linear regression analysis results, COVID-19 media literacy (beta=-0.23) and usage of social media apps (beta=0.58) (beta =0.58) were identified ti fied as predictors of the fear of COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the COVID-19 media literacy was inadequate in participants. Also, COVID-19 media literacy was related to the Fear of COVID-19. Therefore, designing and implementing educational interventions to empower students in the field of media literacy related to COVID-19 and media consumption regime seems to be necessary to help reduce anxiety and stress and increase the immune system against COVID-19.