# Physical and psychological changes of the COVID-19 infodemic by the older adult population

## TL;DR

This study examines how the spread of information about COVID-19 affected the physical and mental health of older adults in Rio de Janeiro.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into how different information sources impact the well-being of older adults during an infodemic.

## Key findings

- Older adults experienced physical and psychological changes due to exposure to information about COVID-19.
- Younger older adults were more affected by social networks than television.
- The infodemic had a significant impact on the lives of older adults in urban areas.

## Abstract

to analyze the physical and psychological changes of the COVID-19 infodemic for the older adult population of Rio de Janeiro.

a cross-sectional, web-based survey to find out about access to news and information about COVID-19 among older adult in Rio de Janeiro, between July and December 2020. Univariate analysis and bivariate analysis were carried out using non-parametric statistical methods.

390 older adults took part, predominantly female (75.1%), aged between 66 and 75 (35.4%), married (51.0%), white (60.3%), owning their own home (81.8%), located in urban areas (91%), with complete or incomplete primary education (31.8%) and retired or pensioners (79.2%). Younger people were significantly affected both physically and psychologically by social networks when compared to television (<0.001).

Physical and psychological changes from exposure to information about COVID-19 have affected the lives of the older adult, having an impact on this population.

Analisar as alterações físicas e psicológicas da infodemia de COVID-19 para a população idosa do Rio de Janeiro.

estudo transversal, web-based survey. para conhecimento do acesso a notícias e informações sobre COVID-19 de idosos do Rio de Janeiro, durante o período de julho a dezembro de 2020. Realizou-se análise univariada e análise bivariada com aplicação de métodos estatísticos não paramétricos.

Participaram 390 idosos, predominantemente do sexo feminino (75,1%), faixa etária entre 66 e 75 anos (35,4%), casados (51,0%), raça/cor branca (60,3%), com imóvel próprio (81,8%), localizado na zona urbana (91%), ensino básico completo ou incompleto (31,8%) e aposentados ou pensionistas (79,2%). Idosos mais jovens foram significativamente afetados tanto física quanto psicologicamente pelas redes sociais quando comparado a televisão (<0,001).

Alterações físicas e psicológicas da exposição às informações sobre a COVID-19 têm afetado a vida dos idosos, gerando impacto para esta população.