Evaluation of YouTube Videos as a Resource for Improving Health Literacy in Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Elizabeth Kravitz,Natalie Close

doi:10.54053/001c.27075

Abstract

Background: There is significant perinatal morbidity and mortality of opioid use disorder. Objective: As YouTube becomes an increasingly prevalent source for medical education among the patient population, this project aims to evaluate the utility of YouTube as a source of education on opioid use disorder (OUD). Study Design: The first 100 YouTube videos for each of the following search terms were evaluated based on a variety of descriptive characteristics and by a scale developed from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology patient education resource (Table 1): “How to quit opioids during pregnancy”, “opioid addiction treatment during pregnancy,” and “opioid detox during pregnancy.” Results: The average views for videos targeting the general public were 20,456 views. Of these videos, the average utility score was 4.03. Conclusion: This study not only highlights the shortcomings of current YouTube resources regarding this topic, but also emphasizes the need for further resource investment by the medical community utilizing YouTube as a resource for improving health literacy.

Highlights

The prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) during pregnancy has paralleled the rising levels of the disease throughout the country
This study highlights the shortcomings of current YouTube resources regarding this topic, and emphasizes the need for further resource investment by the medical community utilizing YouTube as a resource for improving health literacy
Principal Findings: YouTube videos are a highly utilized resource for education by pregnant mothers searching for help with OUD, these videos are lacking in breadth and quality of medical knowledge

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) during pregnancy has paralleled the rising levels of the disease throughout the country. The signifi1cant maternal, prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality of this disease is well established. Babies born from mothers using opioids have an increased risk of fetal[1] growth restriction, placental abruption, fetal death, preterm labor, and intrauterine passage of meconium.[1] Withdrawal during pregnancy holds a risk of preterm birth, fetal stress, and even fetal death. Around the world people of all backgrounds, education levels, and incomes are looking to YouTube as a source of medical education.[3] The purpose of our project was to evaluate the utility of YouTube videos as a source of medical education on opioid use disorder during pregnancy. There is significant perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with opioid use disorder

Methods

Results

Conclusion