Maureen K Luvanda

Infectious diseases are not only medical problems; they are also social and cultural challenges. In today’s world, social media has become one of the main places where people share information, argue about risks and try to make sense of health crises. This project explores how people in Kenya use platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to talk about infectious diseases and what these conversations can tell us about human behaviour, trust and community in a time of uncertainty. The study asks a simple question: how do stories about infectious diseases spread online and what do they reveal about how people understand and live with risk? To answer this, I will look at posts, comments and hashtags; join online groups and speak directly with Kenyans who create or share health content. The aim to show how online discussions influence real-life decisions about health and caregiving. The project will also highlight how humor, fear, stigma and hope are expressed in online communities. This work will help us better understand the human side of infectious diseases while offering insights into how digital platforms are reshaping social life and public health worldwide.