Are Internet videos useful sources of information during global public health emergencies? A case study of YouTube videos during the 2015-16 Zika virus pandemic

被引:128
作者
Bora, Kaustubh [1 ]
Das, Dulmoni [2 ,3 ]
Barman, Bhupen [4 ]
Borah, Probodh [5 ,6 ,7 ]
机构
[1] ICMR Reg Med Res Ctr, Dibrugarh 786010, Assam, India
[2] Indira Gandhi Natl Open Univ, Reg Study Ctr, Dept Psychol, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
[3] Army Inst Nursing, Dept Mental Hlth Nursing, Gauhati, Assam, India
[4] NEIGRIHMS, Dept Gen Med, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
[5] Coll Vet Sci, BIF, Gauhati, Assam, India
[6] Coll Vet Sci, Adv State Biotech Hub, Gauhati, Assam, India
[7] Coll Vet Sci, Dept Anim Biotechnol, Gauhati, Assam, India
关键词
Public health; internet; social media; health communication; health information; pandemic; GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME; SOCIAL MEDIA; BIRTH-DEFECTS; MISINFORMATION; INFECTION; STATES; SITES; WOMEN; EBOLA;
D O I
10.1080/20477724.2018.1507784
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
Background: Internet-videos, though popular sources of public health information, are often unverified and anecdotal. We critically evaluated YouTube videos about Zika virus available during the recent Zika pandemic. Methods: Hundred-and-one videos were retrieved from YouTube (search term: zika virus). Based upon content, they were classified as: informative, misleading or personal experience videos. Quality and reliability of these videos were evaluated using standardized tools. The viewer interaction metrics (e.g. no. of views, shares, etc.), video characteristics (video length, etc.) and the sources of upload were also assessed; and their relationship with the type, quality and reliability of the videos analyzed. Results: Overall, 70.3% videos were informative, while 23.8% and 5.9% videos were misleading and related to personal experiences, respectively. Although with shorter lengths (P < 0.01) and superior quality (P < 0.01), yet informative videos were viewed (P = 0.054), liked (P < 0.01) and shared (P < 0.05) less often than their misleading counterparts. Videos from independent users were more likely to be misleading (adjusted OR = 6.48, 95% CI: 1.69 - 24.83), of poorer (P < 0.05) quality and reliability than government/news agency videos. Conclusion: A considerable chunk of the videos were misleading. They were more popular (than informative videos) and could potentially spread misinformation. Videos from trust-worthy sources like university/health organizations were scarce. Curation/authentication of health information in online video platforms (like YouTube) is necessary. We discuss means to harness them as useful source of information and highlight measures to curb dissemination of misinformation during public health emergencies.
引用
收藏
页码:320 / 328
页数:9
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