Rumors of the Corona virus (Covid-19) in light of some demographic variables in the Jazan region

Abstract

The current study aimed to reveal the level of rumours associated with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) among a sample of individuals in the Jazan region, where these rumors are believed and contributed to their dissemination, in light of some demographic variables (gender, age, marital status, and level education, income). The scale of rumors about the Coronavirus (Covid-19) (prepared by the researcher) was applied to a sample of (244) individuals from the Jazan region, and their ages ranged between (15-65) years, with an average age of 38.35 years, and a standard deviation. It reached (15,4The study results showed an average level in the degree of spread of rumors related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) among the study sample. Rumor promotion is the most prevalent among the study sample. There are statistically significant differences in the trend towards believing and promoting rumors about the Coronavirus. It is due to the educational level variable in favor of individuals with pre-secondary education .It also resulted in the presence of statistically significant differences for the group of females versus males, and for the group with the least chronological age, in addition to revealing the existence of differences in favor of the group of individuals with lower incomes. The results showed that there were no differences in the trend towards believing in spreading rumors according to social status. The results of the study were discussed in the light of societal culture concerning the circulation of news of common interest in Saudi society, and the study suggested increasing educational guidance programs to deal with the Corona pandemic and in similar cases.