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BACKGROUND: Menace of misinformation on social networking sites (SNS) is a global issue especially in light of the COVID-19 infodemic. WhatsApp is being used as an important source of Corona virus related information during the current pandemic. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, WhatsApp has limited studies investigating its role as a source of communication, information or misinformation during crisis situations. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to identify vulnerability of demographic cohorts in a developing country towards Coronavirus related misinformation shared via WhatsApp (vulnerability denoted as K). We also aim at identifying WhatsApp message characteristics associated with increased credibility of misinformation. METHODS: An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A scoring system based on theories supported by existing literature was designed. A ratio of respondent\'s score to maximum score was calculated as K. Respondents were stratified according to age and occupation and Kmean was calculated and compared among each subgroup using single-factor ANOVA and Hochbergs-GT2 tests. The questionnaire contained questions investigating the respondents\' opinion of the veracity of a Coronavirus related WhatsApp message (CRWM). The responses to the false-proven CRWMs were compared using z-test among two groups - CRWMs with an attached link and/or source and those without. RESULTS: We analyzed 1137 responses from WhatsApp users from India. Users over 65 years had highest vulnerability (Kmean=0.38, 95% CI [0.341-0.419]) to misinformation. Respondents in age group 19-25 years had a significantly lower vulnerability (Kmean =0.31, 95% CI [0.301-0.319]) compared to all respondents aged over 25 years (P<.05). Users employed in elementary occupations had the highest vulnerability (Kmean=0.38, 95% CI [0.356-0.404]) and it was significantly higher than that of professionals and students (P<.05). Surprisingly, vulnerability of healthcare workers was not significantly different than any other occupation group (P>.05). We found that false CRWMs with an attached link and/or source were marked true 6 times more often than the false CRWMs without an attached link or source (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that in a developing country. WhatsApp users over 65 years age and those involved in elementary occupations were found to be most vulnerable to false information through WhatsApp. HCWs who are otherwise considered as experts with regards to this global health care calamity, also shared this vulnerability to misinformation with other occupation groups. The study also demonstrates that presence of an attached link and/or source falsely validating an incorrect message adds significant false credibility making it appear true. These results indicate an emergent need to address and rectify current usage patterns of WhatsApp users. The study also provides metrics that can be used by health care organizations and government authorities of developing countries to formulate guidelines to curb WhatsApp related misinformation.
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