Abstract
Objectives
To identify true and false issues related to COVID-19 and to people with diabetes mellitus in media channels.
Method
A documentary research study carried out in posts on Twitter and on the websites of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes and Ministry of Health, submitted to thematic analysis and discussed in the light of the scientific evidence on the topic.
Results
Of the 110 posts, 71 were from Twitter, 31 by the Ministry of Health and 8 by the Brazilian Society of Diabetes. Fake news corresponded to 88 posts; seven disclosed information about unfinished studies; six were wrong news items; and nine were true. The topics were grouped into food products and substances, living conditions (socioeconomic and habits), medications, COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus, severity and risk factors. There is an excess of disinformation with the purpose of deceiving and denying reality, given the disputes over political, economic and ideological knowledge and powers.
Conclusion and implications for the practice
Most of the posts were fake news. As the social media are a place for the easy dissemination of true or false information, scientists and health professionals need to approach the virtual communities of these media and use them as allied tools for communication in health.
Keywords:
Coronavirus; Diabetes Mellitus; Information Dissemination; Social Media; Health Communication
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