Evaluation of COVID-19 Information-Seeking Behavior

The rapid spread of COVID-19 and its transformation into a pandemic has caused anxiety and worry, especially in patients with underlying diseases such as Cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the information-seeking behaviors to prevent COVID-19 disease in cancer patients in Kerman in 2020. The present study is an applied study of objectives and a descriptive-correlational study in its design and methodology. The research population included cancer patients admitted to Shahid Bahonar, Afzalipoor Hospitals, and Javadalameh Clinic in Kerman. Out of 3000 patients, the sample size was randomly estimated to be 250 persons. This study's findings indicated that most patients needed Information about a healthy diet to boost their immune system against COVID-19 disease. Moreover, the patients were more likely to search for COVID-19 Information through simple search (common words that came to their mind). They frequently used COVID-19-related TV programs as a source of Information to raise awareness of the disease. The patients reported that reading or hearing shocking Information about COVID-19 made it difficult to access sources and Information related to the disease. Besides, the retrieved Information helped them to identify COVID-19 symptoms. Most of the patients also stated that they washed their hands regularly with soap and water to prevent COVID-19 disease.