Evaluating the attitude of medical students toward the impact of social media on improving learning and increasing awareness during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study in Iran

Abstract Introduction The use of social media has become an inseparable part of many students' lives. Therefore, in this research, we have tried to evaluate the attitude of medical students toward the impact of social media on improving their learning and increasing their awareness during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive correlation study that was conducted in Iran in 2021. The statistical population of this study included medical students. Finally, 260 students participated in it. A researcher‐made questionnaire was used to collect data. Results Most students use social media for educational purposes, including sending and sharing educational materials (42.8%), membership in study groups (42.6%), uploading educational content and presenting class topics (39.7%), chatting with students and professors (35.5%), formation of educational groups (34.2%), checking homework (32.7%), class discussion (30%), and sending and sharing photos and videos (29.5%). The most followed topics in social media by students to increase their level of awareness were respectively scientific topics not related to the field of study (46.9%), topics related to immigration (46%), cultural topics (44.2%), learning English (43.2%), academic and scientific materials related to the field of study (40.8%). Also, WhatsApp and Telegram were the most popular social media among students at the same time (58.8%). Also, students had a very positive attitude towards social media and considered them effective in improving learning and raising awareness. Conclusion In general, the results of our study showed that social media could play an influential role in improving learning and raising the level of awareness of medical students. However, there may be problems and challenges in using these technologies, such as blocking the popular social media platform in some countries, the imposition of some restrictive government laws, low internet speed, protecting the privacy of students, professors, and so on.

The use of SM has become an inseparable part of many students' lives and has had a direct impact on all aspects of student life, including the amount of study time and academic performance. 3,4 However, using these media facilitates communication with friends. However, it may also disrupt their education by reducing the study time of students. 5 However, SM does not have only adverse effects, and by using them in the educational or even therapeutic process, they can be optimally used for educational purposes. 6 Recent studies have indicated that SM can be a valuable and cheerful resource for students in various aspects, provided they are used correctly. 5 In Iran, about 38 years ago, the medical education system was integrated with the healthcare service delivery system.
Medical students and their professors were engaged in teaching students and treating patients in teaching hospitals. 7 The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid- 19) pandemic negatively affected all aspects of people's lives worldwide, and the education and health sectors were no exception to this rule. 8 Social distancing and mandatory quarantine confronted the university education system with obstacles and challenges. They forced the teaching and learning system from the face-to-face method to the online system and even affected the students' mental health. 9 In addition to online education, SM such as WhatsApp, Telegram, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and so on also played an influential role in raising the level of students' awareness and improving their learning. In this research, we have tried to evaluate the attitude of medical students toward the impact of SM on improving their learning and increasing their awareness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

| MATERIALS AND METHODS
The current study is of applied type and is considered descriptive The method of data collection in this research was in the form of completing a questionnaire, which was given to the students after obtaining their consent.

| RESULTS
Two hundred and sixty medical students participated in this study, of which 120 were women and 140 were men. Also, 95 of them were A total of 90.7% of students used personal mobile phones or tablets, 6.2% of students used personal computers or laptops, and 3.1% of students used university computers to access SM.
In Table 1, the skill level of the students was asked in four areas, which is given as a frequency (percentage), and in five categories from poor to excellent level. As can be seen, most of the answers are in the category of very good. T A B L E 2 Types of social media used by students to pursue academic and educational goals.
To follow your learning and educational goals, which of the following social media are you a member of?  In Table 6, the attitude of medical students toward SM is given, which shows the positive attitude of students regarding the use of SM to improve learning and raise the level of their awareness.
In Table 7, the relationship between gender and skill areas, use for learning and educational purposes, examining the effects of SM, attitude, and raising the level of awareness was measured using the Mann-Whitney test; there was a significant relationship between skill areas and use for learning and educational purposes and gender so that men had obtained a higher score in the skill areas and use for learning and educational purposes.
In The results of these studies are also consistent with those of our study.
Despite some advantages of using SM in education and learning, the adverse effects, challenges, and obstacles of its use should not be neglected. Spending too much time using social networks may hurt the normal process of students' education and disrupt their academic and academic performance; in other words, addiction to SM will affect other aspects of students that can reduce their academic progress.
Emamirizi conducted research entitled the effect of virtual SM on the academic progress of female students in Western Iran. This study showed that the excessive use of these networks and spending too much time on these networks reduces students' study time. Also, since most students spend long hours of the night on these networks, they cannot attend classes with enough concentration (mainly due to lack of sleep), and these factors can lead to a decrease in their academic progress. 5 Kirschner and Karpinski, 4

| LIMITATIONS
The statistical population of our study was only medical students.
Therefore, the sample was not representative of SM users in general, which may limit generalizability to other populations.

| CONCLUSION
In general, the results of our study showed that SM could play an influential role in improving learning and raising the level of awareness of medical students, and can provide various opportunities for student's education. However, there may be problems and challenges in using these technologies, such as blocking the popular SM platform in some countries, the imposition of some restrictive government laws, low internet speed, protecting the privacy of students and professors, and so on.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors declare no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supporting Information: Material. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

ETHICS STATEMENT
This research was derived from a research project (Ethics Code of IR.AJUMS.MEDICINE.REC.1400.066); therefore, have been ultimately observed by the author.

TRANSPARENCY STATEMENT
The lead author Abdolreza Gilavand affirms that this manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study being reported; that no important aspects of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned (and, if relevant, registered) have been explained. GILAVAND ET AL.