P-01 Misinformed and misled: digital health misinformation as a barrier to care

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Electronic database searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the WHO COVID-19 Research Database, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research examining digital health misinformation and its impact on vaccine uptake or healthcare-seeking behaviors among general populations. Studies were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized template, and methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists.

Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Exposure to digital health misinformation was associated with reduced vaccine confidence and lower vaccine uptake across study populations. Reported reductions in vaccine intent ranged from approximately 6% to 20% following exposure to misinformation. Social media platforms were identified as major sources of misinformation dissemination. Despite variability in study design and population characteristics, findings consistently demonstrated a negative association between misinformation exposure and healthcare-seeking behavior. Regional studies demonstrated similar trends, with increased vulnerability linked to reliance on social media and limited access to credible health information.

Conclusion: Digital health misinformation negatively influences vaccine confidence and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Targeted, culturally appropriate public health communication and strengthened digital health literacy are necessary to mitigate the impact of misinformation and improve public health outcomes. Findings also suggest that misinformation may affect broader healthcare engagement beyond vaccination, although included studies primarily examined vaccinerelated outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrating misinformation mitigation into routine public health preparedness strategies.