Strengthening Infodemic Management Through Scenario-based Training: Validation of a Toolkit for Public Health Crisis Response
1
Programmes, Nigeria Health watch, Abuja FCT, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3316
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Public health emergencies are increasingly complicated by infodemics; the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, which erode public trust, undermine response efforts and worsen health inequities. Traditional training methods often inadequately prepare professionals to manage information disorder during crises. To address this gap, the Nigeria Health Watch team, through its Health Information Disorder and Infodemic Management Collaborative Learning Network, developed a Scenario Development (SD) Toolkit to support realistic simulation exercises for strengthening strategic communication and infodemic preparedness.
METHODS:
The SD Toolkit was created through a collaborative, user-centred design process and validated during a multi-stakeholder workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria, in September 2025. Participants included public health professionals, emergency responders, policymakers and researchers. Using a structured five-step framework aligned with World Health Organization infodemic management principles, participants developed fictional yet contextually realistic scenarios, tested response plans and coordination mechanisms, and provided structured feedback to assess clarity, relevance, usability and practical applicability.
RESULTS:
Participants reported that the SD Toolkit effectively supported the development of realistic, culturally relevant infodemic scenarios. Hands-on simulations strengthened skills in information assessment, rapid risk communication, misinformation management, and multi-sector coordination, while also identifying preparedness gaps and resource constraints. Validation feedback led to improvements in toolkit language, usability and real-world alignment. Participants highlighted the toolkit’s adaptability across diverse public health contexts, and its potential to support equity-focused capacity building and communities of practice.
CONCLUSIONS:
The validated SD Toolkit offers an innovative, scalable approach to strengthening global capacity for infodemic management through simulation-based training. By providing a standardized yet adaptable framework for scenario creation, it supports preparedness, builds institutional resilience, and equips public health professionals to respond effectively to infodemics before crises occur ultimately contributing to public trust and health equity.
Public health emergencies are increasingly complicated by infodemics; the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, which erode public trust, undermine response efforts and worsen health inequities. Traditional training methods often inadequately prepare professionals to manage information disorder during crises. To address this gap, the Nigeria Health Watch team, through its Health Information Disorder and Infodemic Management Collaborative Learning Network, developed a Scenario Development (SD) Toolkit to support realistic simulation exercises for strengthening strategic communication and infodemic preparedness.
METHODS:
The SD Toolkit was created through a collaborative, user-centred design process and validated during a multi-stakeholder workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria, in September 2025. Participants included public health professionals, emergency responders, policymakers and researchers. Using a structured five-step framework aligned with World Health Organization infodemic management principles, participants developed fictional yet contextually realistic scenarios, tested response plans and coordination mechanisms, and provided structured feedback to assess clarity, relevance, usability and practical applicability.
RESULTS:
Participants reported that the SD Toolkit effectively supported the development of realistic, culturally relevant infodemic scenarios. Hands-on simulations strengthened skills in information assessment, rapid risk communication, misinformation management, and multi-sector coordination, while also identifying preparedness gaps and resource constraints. Validation feedback led to improvements in toolkit language, usability and real-world alignment. Participants highlighted the toolkit’s adaptability across diverse public health contexts, and its potential to support equity-focused capacity building and communities of practice.
CONCLUSIONS:
The validated SD Toolkit offers an innovative, scalable approach to strengthening global capacity for infodemic management through simulation-based training. By providing a standardized yet adaptable framework for scenario creation, it supports preparedness, builds institutional resilience, and equips public health professionals to respond effectively to infodemics before crises occur ultimately contributing to public trust and health equity.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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