Egyptian citizen's information-seeking behavior in a health crises: "The Corona virus(Covid.19) crisis as a model

The current study aimed to know the information- seeking behavior of different samples of the Egyptian citizen about the Corona virus "Covid-19" in light of the application of the information seeking theory .this is through monitoring and analyzing the patterns, strategies and sources of Egyptian citizens' access to information about the Corona crisis, and to achieve the objectives of the study used descriptive analytical method and used the electronic questionnaire as a tool to collect data distributed on five axes, the sample of the study consisted of (343) individuals of both sexes of varying age groups and different educational levels, and from the countryside and urban areas throughout the Arab Republic of Egypt. The result of the study showed a Social media was the first source for individuals involved in Study in knowledge of Corona virus by (45.77%), a Rumors and misinformation are the first reason why some people are reluctant to search for information about the covid-19 at a rate of (77.77%).the most relied on source for COVID-19 information was social media. The most restricting obstacles for seeking COVID-19 information were the "false information" and the "massive information about the disease. The study recommends that the government institutions should take care of good and sustained follow-up to social media in particular and other sources of information in general, in order to inform citizens of rumors and misinformation disseminated through these means that may affect the normal course of life.

Keywords: Information behavior; COVID-19; Health Crises; Infodemic information.