DISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT ON VACCINE HESITANCY IN OLDER ADULTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17564/2316-3798.2026v10n2p123-138
Published
Downloads
Downloads
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Interfaces Científicas - Saúde e Ambiente
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:
a. Autores mantêm os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob a Licença Creative Commons Attribution que permite o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
b. Autores têm permissão e são estimulados a distribuir seu trabalho on-line (ex.: em repositórios institucionais ou na sua página pessoal), já que isso pode gerar aumento o impacto e a citação do trabalho publicado (Veja O Efeito do Acesso Livre).
Abstract
A study conducted in the Maciço do Baturité region, Ceará, Brazil, explored how misinformation influences vaccine hesitancy among individuals over 60 years old. The research involved 202 elderly participants from health units in the cities of Redenção and Acarape, where data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Statistical analyses were used to examine factors related to belief in fake news and reluctance to vaccinate. Findings revealed that 145 participants, or 71.8%, reported exposure to fake news, yet this was not statistically significantly associated with their views on vaccination (p=0.104). Women reported higher exposure to misinformation (p=0.079), suggesting a notable trend. Conversely, individuals with greater religious participation showed stronger confidence in COVID-19 vaccines (p=0.006), highlighting a significant difference. Interestingly, education level did not significantly affect vaccine confidence (p=0.388). Although no direct, significant link was found between fake news and vaccine resistance, the study underscores that factors such as gender and religiosity shape how the elderly perceive misinformation and trust vaccines. This emphasizes the need for communication strategies tailored to cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences to enhance vaccine uptake among this population.
