Covid-19 and infodemic: information practices of groups in situations of vulnerability to COVID-19 in Quebec in the context of a pandemic.

The historic measures put in place to protect the population from COVID-19 have disrupted the daily lives of Quebec residents, as well as those around the world. The pandemic has been accompanied by a continuous flow of information to the point that the WHO uses the term "infodemic" to describe an information overload. This proliferation of information accentuated by social media can have harmful repercussions for some people. The excess information can cause fear, anxiety, generate distrust of health authorities, lead to dangerous practices that can lead to deaths, or even non-compliance with preventive practices. Information practices are strongly influenced by socio-economic level, level of education, cultural origin or even place of residence. Thus, messages from public health authorities do not reach certain groups in situations of vulnerability to COVID-19 such as seniors (60 years and older), young adults (18-25 years), members of cultural communities and members of Indigenous communities living in urban areas. This is why it is important to identify the information practices of these different groups. The results will help guide the communication activities of public health authorities to better adapt to the needs of groups in situations of vulnerability to COVID-19, thus reaching them more equitably and encouraging adherence to the recommended measures.