Abstracts are provided in the language submitted.

Introduction: Approximately 96% of Canadians and 80% of Americans reported encountering COVID-19 dis/misinformation on at least one social media sites/apps. Covid-19 dis/misinformation promote skepticism and lack of confidence in COVID-19 interventions. Black people have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively impacting their livelihoods and are therefore more likely to be hesitant in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Dis/misinformation contributes to both high rates of COVID-19 infection and low uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. Hence, the purpose of our study is to examine the nature and scope of the literature on COVID-19 online dis/misinformation among Black population and strategies to tackle it based on available evidence. Methods: We searched articles from seven major databases including Medline and CINAHL. Some of the concepts included were COVID-19, dis/misinformation, Black or people of African descent. Our search generated 600 articles. Two researchers independently screened the articles. Studies included were those that focused on: 1) Black people living inside or outside Africa; and 2) COVID-19 online dis/misinformation among this population. Nineteen articles made our inclusion criteria. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results: We found dis/misinformation about the origin of COVID-19, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment, race immunity against COVID-19, and distrust in government and health organizations. Conclusion: There is a global paucity of qualitative analysis of COVID-19 online dis/misinformation among Black people. Knowledge on the impact and implications of COVID-19 online dis/misinformation is necessary to inform public health interventions in Black communities.

Dr. Janet Kemei