Credible Sources Of Information Research Articles

(Un)believable: the perceived credibility of Covid-19 information in Austria

In our mediatized society, it is essential in times of crisis that the media provide credible information to serve their information function successfully. At least equally important is which information is perceived as credible by the recipients. After all, the media are responsible for shaping the discourse on the crisis. Using data from the "Covid-19 Crisis" study conducted by the Gallup Institute and Medienhaus Wien, this article examines the perceived credibility of media-mediated Corona information in Austria. People who consult the respective media for Corona information were asked about the credibility of the coverage. ORF and Servus TV seem to be regarded as particularly credible among their users in the overall population. However, there are differences, e.g., between age groups. Young people find ORF more credible than Servus TV. The tabloid press, with its vast reach typical of Austria, and social media do not seem to be viewed as credible sources of information on Covid-19. Young Austrians are even more sceptical of these two types of media. However, the tabloid newspaper Kronen Zeitung is perceived as the most credible tabloid newspaper compared to its competitors. Facebook is the most frequently used social media platform for Corona info but seems to be the least credible source compared to Instagram and YouTube. Respondents' attitudes toward conspiracy theories and allegations of corruption are also likely to influence the perceived credibility of Covid-19 information.

Development of a Mobile App to Increase the Uptake of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Latino Sexual Minority Men: Qualitative Needs Assessment.

HIV disproportionally impacts Latino sexual minority men (SMM). Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an effective biomedical intervention to prevent HIV, is low in this group compared with White SMM. Mobile health technology represents an innovative strategy to increase PrEP uptake among Latino SMM. We aimed to describe the qualitative process leading to the development of SaludFindr, a comprehensive HIV prevention mobile app aiming to increase PrEP uptake, HIV testing, and condom use by Latino SMM. We conducted 13 in-depth interviews with Latino SMM living in the Atlanta area to explore their main barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and to analyze their opinions of potential SaludFindr app functionalities. To explore potential app functions, we used HealthMindr, an existing HIV prevention app, as a template and added new proposed features intended to address the specific community needs. We identified general PrEP uptake barriers that, although common among non-Latino groups, had added complexities such as the influence of religion and family on stigma. Low perceived PrEP eligibility, intersectional stigma, lack of insurance, cost concerns, and misconceptions about PrEP side effects were described as general barriers. We also identified Latino-specific barriers that predominantly hinder access to existing services, including a scarcity of PrEP clinics that are prepared to provide culturally concordant services, limited availability of Spanish language information related to PrEP access, distrust of peers as credible sources of information, perceived ineligibility for low-cost services owing to undocumented status, fear of immigration authorities, and competing work obligations that prevent PrEP clinic attendance. Health care providers represented a trusted source of information, and 3 provider characteristics were identified as PrEP facilitators: familiarity with prescribing PrEP; being Latino; and being part of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) group or ally. The proposed app was very well accepted, with a particularly high interest in features that facilitate PrEP access, including a tailored list of clinics that meet the community needs and a private platform to seek PrEP information. Spanish language availability and free or low-cost PrEP care represented the 2 main clinic criteria that would facilitate PrEP uptake. Latino representation in clinic staff and providers; clinic perception as a safe space for undocumented patients; and LGBTQIA+ representation was listed as additional criteria. Only 8 of 47 clinics listed on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention PrEP locator website for the Atlanta area fulfilled at least 2 main criteria. This study provides further evidence of the substantial PrEP uptake barriers that Latino SMM face; exposes the urgent need to increase the number of accessible PrEP-providing clinics for Latino SMM; and proposes an innovative, community-driven, and mobile technology-based tool as a future intervention to overcome some of these barriers.

Individual (Non) Resilience of University Students to Digital Media Manipulation after COVID-19 (Case Study of Slovak Initiatives).

The starting point of this theoretical article is the presentation of the issue of media manipulation in the contemporary digital media environment. The theoretical part is followed by a description and analysis of selected factors that create a belief of the individual's resilience to digital media manipulative elements. Among the seven researched factors of an individual's (non) resilience to digital media manipulation, we include: media illiteracy/literacy, thought activity/laziness, searching/not searching for "consensus" in the media, not emphasizing/emphasizing emotions, non-reliance/reliance on own intuition, non-credibility/credibility in the opinion of celebrities and automatic distrust/trust of recipients in the information presented in the media and others. We do not see the presence of manipulative elements in digital media as the main danger (manipulation is always in a sense part of the media message), nor the fact that manipulative elements have an effect on individuals (media-manipulative and non-manipulative-effects cannot be doubted). In our opinion, the very significant risk is the fact that the media message is followed by a false belief of the recipient's own "immunity" against (covert and overt) media manipulation. The result of this false notion is the individual's belief that manipulation in digital media content does not "affect" him ("I can easily recognize media manipulation") and does not "touch" him ("It can't happen to me"). Such a person then resembles a "house on the sand", as his opinions, arguments or beliefs quickly collapse under the onslaught of five skills: challenges in the context of media literacy, critical thinking, strategies for verifying the credibility of information sources, the rational assessment of issues and reflection of reality. This original research article is a qualitative analysis of the legacy of ten Slovak educational initiatives focused on the issue of education in the context of media manipulation. The analysis focuses on the role of individual risk factors associated with resilience. The conclusion of the analysis is the elaboration of a positive proposal for the researched issue.

Perceptions of social media challenges and benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic: Qualitative findings from a cross sectional international survey.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in January 2020 the need for rapid information spread grew and social media became the ultimate platform for information exchange as well as a tool for connection and entertainment. With the rapid information spread along came the various public misconceptions and misinformation which consequently influenced perceptions and behaviors of the public towards the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, there was a need for identification and collation of public perceptions information to address future public health initiatives. This cross-national study aimed to examine the challenges and benefits of using social media during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. This study was a content analysis of the open-ended questions from a wider cross-sectional online survey conducted in Norway, UK, USA, and Australia during October/November 2020. 2368 participants out of 3474 respondents to the survey provided the open text responses included in the qualitative analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. All statements were coded to positive and negative sentiments. Three overarching themes were identified: 1. Mental health and emotional exhaustion 2. Information and misinformation; 3. Learning and inspiration.While providing a powerful mode of connection during the pandemic, social media also led to negative impact on public perceptions, including mistrust and confusion. Clarity in communications by institutions and education about credible information sources should be considered in the future. Further research is required in exploring and documenting social media narratives around COVID-19 in this and any subsequent incidents of pandemic restrictions. Understanding the public perceptions and their social narratives can support the designing of appropriate support and services for people in the future, while acknowledging the uncertainty and overwhelming impact of the pandemic that may have skewed the experiences of social media.

Addressing Information Overload in Smart Environment: Framework for Critical Media Literacy Integration in EFL Context

ABSTRACT As media and technology advance and the environment grows smarter, information can spread more quickly and extensively, with fewer filters. In the face of the abundance of diverse multimodal and interactive digital resources, many EFL teachers still lack confidence in their ability to implement critical media literacy (CML) instructions. Meanwhile, the myriad informational media provides EFL teachers with a unique opportunity to teach CML to their students. Using a descriptive qualitative analysis of group discussions and interview data, this study proposes a practical framework to aid teachers in navigating the intricacies of CML practice in an EFL setting. The framework comprises three critical literacy practice resources: theoretical basis and critical media literacy principles, student characteristics and language level, and material and media selection. The framework also includes some competencies, comprising skills to analyse credible information sources, the ability to analyse and critique text or process information, and the ability to produce and distribute information.

WHEN THERE ARE CONTRADICTORY DYING DECLARATIONS, WHICH ONE TO ACCEPT?

The researcher has researched on the topic of dying declaration mentioned in Indian Evidence Act, 1872 under section 32(1). The word dying declaration means a statement given by a person for the cause of his death before dying. The main purpose of this research is to find what happens if there are two dying declarations given which are contrary in nature and which one is suitable as per the facts of the case and different scenarios mentioned in the running court. The researcher has also given a detailed study on different forms of dying declaration and which one is more evidently admissible in the court of law, and which one is not at all admissible in the court. A dying declaration is most trustworthy and credible source of information in the court as those people who know they are going to die would never lie under those circumstances, for which their reliability increases a lot. If the person who has hope to be saved and does get saved from death, their statement would not be admissible in the court. A person who is admitting in court must be competent at the time they are making the statement, or else it will not be admitted in the court of law. There are different cases which gives different aspect of admission of record before death. The researcher has given its full analytical study on contradiction of the same dying declaration and the criteria which makes which one to admitted in the court of law.

Credibility of Information Sources and Channels as Perceived by Paddy Farmers in Telangana State

This paper investigates perceived credibility of paddy farmers’ information sources and channels. The dissemination of agricultural information to farmers has been one of the crucial factors for the transmission of newer and relevant technologies. Farmers’ information needs are transforming to more need-based than demand-driven. A sum of 120 respondents was selected based on proportionate random sampling from two villages selected from each of the two blocks of Khammam district. Mean per cent score was used for obtaining the degree of credibility of sources and channels. Opinion leaders in personal localite sources, agricultural scientists in personal cosmopolite sources, result demonstration in personal cosmopolite channels and television in impersonal cosmopolite channels were perceived as highly credible by paddy farmers. One-third of respondents had high level of overall credibility.

The Influence of Self-Control Fatigue and Information Source Credibility on the Gap Between Attitude and Behavior

The Influence of Self-Control Fatigue and Information Source Credibility on the Gap Between Attitude and Behavior

Volcanic crisis communication: The case of the Mt. Merapi eruption emergency response

This study aims to explore the local government's implementation of volcanic crisis communication during the emergency response to the eruption of Mount Merapi in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This research used a case study method with a qualitative-descriptive approach and data were collected through interviews, field observations, and documentation. The results of study showed that the implementation of volcanic crisis communication can be explained in terms of information sources, message production and distribution, communication channels, and the affordability and speed of information. During the emergency response period, the Regional Disaster Management Agency has implemented a volcano crisis communication model based on the established standard operating procedures; however, several field findings showed a number of weaknesses in its implementation, such as in the flow of information and communication, which was still very bureaucratic and inflexible, and the lack of complete and fast information. On the other hand, the community has a more straightforward and flexible communication and information system to meet their own information needs regarding the Mount Merapi Eruption disaster. The communication pattern is supported by local wisdom and the role of religious and community leaders who are still believed to be credible sources of information. Communities have also succeeded in establishing independent communication channels to share disaster information by leveraging social networks and traditional media. This research provides an academic and practical contribution to develop the volcanic crisis communication studies in Indonesia.

Factors Influencing the Information Adoption from Social Media review Platform: Extending Information Adoption Model (IAM) with Information Diagnosticity

Online reviews sufficiently influence the behavioural intention of the individual. The evolution of social media has added a new dimension to online reviews. The user can discuss the products and services or any brands with their networks through social media. The current study aims to identify the influence of information quality and information source credibility on information adoption from social media review platforms with the mediating role of information diagnosticity and information usefulness. The current study is a quantitative correlational study. Data were collected by conducting a survey on 225 Bangladeshi social media users, and all the data were analysed by SPSS and Smart-PLS software. The outcomes of the present study revealed that the association between information quality and source credibility with information adoption is mediated by information diagnosticity and information usefulness. The user would likely adopt the information if they can evaluate the information quality and information source credibility and perceive that information as useful and having the diagnostic ability. The current study contributes both theoretically and practically. From the theoretical perspective, this study contributes to a conceptual research framework that was developed by extending Information Adoption Model (IAM) by adding information diagnosticity. Practically, the findings contribute to both marketers and consumers by providing a clear understanding of the social media review and information. Finally, several limitations and future research directions were indicated at the end of the study.

People with High Perceived Infectability Are More Likely to Spread Rumors in the Context of COVID-19: A Behavioral Immune System Perspective.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many studies have explored the influencing factors of rumor spreading, such as anxiety, risk perception and information source credibility, but few studies have focused on the impact of individual differences. Based on the theory of behavioral immune systems, we investigated the impact of perceived infectability on rumor spreading and the mediating role of rumor trust in the context of COVID-19. Two studies were investigated using the scale and recall-report task of rumor spreading. The results show that perceived infectability was a significant positive predictor of rumor spreading. However, the impact of perceived infectability on rumor spreading was not direct, and it mainly indirectly affected rumor spreading through the mediating role of rumor trust. Overall, the findings suggest that individuals with high perceived infectability are more likely to believe rumors and then spread rumors during the epidemic. This study advances the literature on rumor spreading and behavioral immune systems and provides practical implications to anti-rumor campaigns.

Design Matters in Web Credibility Assessment: Interactive Design as a Social Validation Tool for Online Health Information Seekers

This study explored what makes users perceive a website as a credible source of health information and how web credibility assessment, in turn, influences their health information-seeking behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted with survey responses from college students (NN = 141) who assessed credibility markers of a website they normally visit to address health concerns. A 4-factor solution emerged as the best summary of the data: (a) content, (b) interaction design, (c) information design, and (d) source. Identified components were used in a linear model to explore the effects of different web credibility types on perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral outcomes. Alongside content-related attributes (e.g., recency of the information), interaction design-related elements (e.g., ability to interact with other users) were significantly associated with most dependent variables examined in the study (e.g., trust in the information on the site, willingness to follow the advice, and willingness to recommend the site to others). Current results imply that users count on not only content-related cues or heuristics, but also interactive design features as helpful tools for mobilizing social resources (e.g., fellow users) to validate online health information. Theoretical and practical implications of the study findings and future research directions are discussed.

PROFILE OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS ONE YEAR INTO COVID-19

Abstract We surveyed community-dwelling older adults in 2020, primarily in the Midwest, to learn about their experiences during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In summer 2021, we collected quantitative and qualitative one-year follow-up data on 118 participants from the original cohort who agreed to be contacted later (n=246; 48% response rate). Respondents included mostly women (75.2%), White (95%) with a mean age of 76.4 years and 15 mean years of education; half were married (49.5), and 40.7% lived alone. Compared to 2020, participants had a higher mean score on the CESD10 (9.76 vs. 6.97); although self-rated health and quality of life scores were similar (94-95% good-excellent). Mean scores on the Brief Resilient Scale were similar. In this group, 99.3% had been vaccinated, and had a concern score of 3.7 out of 5 that there would be more COVID outbreaks. Themes from their reported adaptations during the pandemic included taking steps for physical and mental self-care, maintaining connections with others, and finding credible sources of information. Connecting with others online was the biggest technological change during this time, and the computer was the most valued technology. These educated, middle class older adults continued to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, but those who did not respond to the second survey may have had more health or mental health challenges. These findings suggest a need for health care providers to screen older adults for depression so that early interventions can take place.

Qualitative social media content analysis as teaching-learning method in higher education

ABSTRACT Market research topics and methodologies are gaining presence in the most syllabus of university degrees. Today's students will probably become business managers of companies commercializing different products and services, such as hotels, restaurants, or cultural products and services. Because of this, they must learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative market research techniques to know about customer needs. Traditionally, quantitative methodologies have prevailed in both research and university curriculums. However, the popularization of Information and Communication Technologies has made qualitative research more necessary than ever. Most customers express their reviews and opinions on digital platforms such as Booking, Tripadvisor, or Trivago. And this is one of the most credible and influential sources of information for other potential customers. Because of this, future business managers must learn how to analyze the valuable information provided by customers through this platform. A practical exercise was proposed to a group of tourism students to identify substantial aspects and improvement areas in the management of tourism companies by using qualitative user-generated content analysis. This topic identification has critical managerial implications for improving the satisfaction level of tourism companies’ customers.

Assessing the credibility of information sources in times of uncertainty: online debate about Finland's NATO membership

PurposeThis article aims to elaborate the context-sensitive nature of credibility assessment by examining how such judgments are made in online discussion in times of uncertainty caused by Finland's intent to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in spring 2022.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical findings draw on the qualitative content analysis of 3,324 posts submitted to a Finnish online discussion in February–March 2022. It was examined how the participants of online discussion assess the credibility of information sources referred to in debates on the NATO membership. It is assumed that the believability of the author of information is indicative of his or her expert power, for example based on the credentials of a scholar, while the credibility of information content, for example the provision of factual evidence is indicative of the source's informational power.FindingsPolitical decision-makers, particularly the President of Finland were assessed as most credible information sources, due to their access to confidential knowledge and long-time experience in politics. The credibility assessments differed more strongly while judging the believability of researchers. On the one hand, their expertise was praised; on the other hand, doubts were presented about their partiality. Fellow participants of online discussion were assessed most negatively because information sources of these types are associated with low expert and informational power.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study concentrated on credibility assessments made in a Finnish online discussion group, the findings cannot be extended to concern the credibility judgments occurring information in other contexts.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to characterize the role of expert and informational power in credibility assessment in times of uncertainty.

Assessing brand performance consistency from consumer-generated media: the US hotel industry

Purpose Given the importance of performance consistency of chain hotels in customers’ decision-making and service evaluation, this study aims to explore how consistently chain hotel brands offer quality service and carry out their performance from the eyes of customers through online reviews on TripAdvisor of the top five US hotel chains (i.e. Choice, Hilton, InterContinental, Marriott and Wyndham) and their brands. Design/methodology/approach The research objectives were achieved through methodological triangulation: business intelligence, data visualization analytics and statistical analyses. First, the data collection and pre-processing of consumer-generated media (CGM) (i.e. TripAdvisor online reviews) were performed using business intelligence for further analyses. Using data visualization analytics (i.e. box-and-whisker plot by region and brand), the geographic patterns of performance attributes (i.e. online review ratings, including location, sleep, cleanliness, room and service) were depicted. Using a series of analyses of variance and regression analyses, the results were further assessed for the impacts of brand performance inconsistency on consumers’ perceived value, sentiment and satisfaction. Findings The empirical results demonstrate that there are significant performance inconsistencies in performance attributes (location, sleep, cleanliness, room and service) by brands throughout the six regions in the US hotel market. More importantly, the findings confirm that brand performance consistency significantly influences consumers’ perceived service quality (i.e. perceived value, satisfaction and sentiment). Originality This study is one of the first attempts to empirically explore hotel brand performance consistency in the US hotel market from customer reviews on CGM. To measure hotel brand performance in the US hotel market, this study collected and analyzed user-generated big data for the top 5 US hotel chains through business intelligence, visualization analytics and statistical analysis. These integrated and novel research methods would help tourism and hospitality researchers analyze big data in an innovative data analytics approach. The findings of the study contribute to the tourism and hospitality field by confirming hotel brand performance inconsistency and such inconsistent performance affected customers’ service evaluations. Practical Implications This study demonstrates the significant impact of hotel brand performance consistency on consumers’ perceived value, emotion and satisfaction. Considering that online reviews are perceived as a credible source of information, the findings suggest that the hotel industry pays special attention to brand performance consistency to improve consumers’ perceived value, emotion and satisfaction.

Barriers Related to Dental Implant Treatment Acceptance by Patients.

Dental implants present a viable treatment option for the replacement of partial and full edentulism. Since their initial creation in the 1960s, implants have proceeded to become popular among both patients and dental practitioners due to their high success and survival rates. Despite the promising results, there remains some patient hesitation toward the acceptance of implant treatment. This hesitance mainly stems from four key factors that have greatly influenced patient decision-making: financial barriers, awareness and cultural sensitivity issues, treatment timespan, and the varying possible complications. Financial barriers generally arise from the lack of insurance benefits for the surgical aspect of treatment and the differing socioeconomic statuses of the patient population. Though dental implants have become more widespread, public knowledge of the matter is still insufficient. Patients may have altered conceptions of the procedure due to insufficiently credible information sources. In addition, dental practitioners need to consider the cultural restrictions that may be existent for some patients. The long timespan of the dental implant treatment, including healing time, may result in some patients opting for fixed or removable prostheses, which have comparatively shorter treatment spans. Biomechanical overload, infection, and inflammation are varying types of complications that alter osseointegration, ultimately leading to many complications, such as peri-implantitis. These universal barriers may hinder patient acceptance of implant treatment. However, as dental health care professionals, it is important to understand this hesitance and help mitigate these obstacles through patient education and continual reassurance and support.

11.M. Workshop: Vaccination hesitancy in the Western Balkans and inclusive governance

Abstract Vaccine hesitancy has been identified as one of the crucial contributors to the global decline in vaccination coverage for several well-established vaccines in previous decades and is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global health. In developing countries, the leading reasons for under-vaccination appear to be the lack of access, low education and socio-economic status. In developed countries psychological, social, and contextual factors are defined as main drivers of vaccine hesitancy. With the COVID-19 pandemic the threat of vaccine hesitancy has become more evident and is now in the focus of strategies and efforts to improve and strengthen the interventions to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination coverage. Despite the availability of multiple effective vaccines against COVID-19, only 40% of population of Wester Balkans in average has been completely vaccinated (with a complete initial protocol), which is far below the world average (56%). Vaccine hesitancy largely jeopardizes the achievement of heard immunity, postponing the end of the pandemic. To explore reasons of vaccine hesitancy, the cross-sectional and quasi-experimental studies were performed from July to September 2021 in five countries of the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The results will be presented and discussed from a policy perspective. The first presentation will introduce to the actual debate around vaccination hesitancy; the second presentation describes the survey design and key results related to societal factors (confidence in political and health authorities, science, and pharmaceutical companies), social responsibility (personal sense of responsibility in achieving collective immunity and contagion prevention) and the credibility of information sources about COVID-19 vaccines; the third presentation will discuss components of credibility (expertise, trustworthiness, and caring/goodwill) after respondents’ exposure to messages with narratives on COVID-19 vaccine decisions. The fourth presentation is going to identify promising policy options. The objective of the workshop is to present and discuss the results of the Western Balkans study, relate them to corresponding studies in Europe and beyond, and propose effective interventions. The audience is invited to discuss the findings and the practicability of strategies to improve the acceptance of qualified information in the population, how to enhance trustworthy, how to improve vaccination rates. The discussion will focus on the following questions: a) What are the main drivers of vaccination hesitancy? b) Which messaging format is most convincing and trustworthy? c) Why is the global dimension essential? Key messages • Vaccine hesitancy is a serious threat and reason for the insufficient vaccination coverage and suboptimal herd immunity in the Western Balkans. • Vaccination policy has to enhance information trustworthy and source credibility at the national level and argue for fair resource distribution in the global dimension.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in five Western Balkan countries

Abstract Background The vaccine hesitancy is a matter of global concern with inadequate global uptake postponing the moment of reaching herd immunity and bringing the COVID-19 pandemics under control. Countries in the Western Balkans struggle with vaccine hesitancy, trying to bring vaccine acceptance and ways to improve it into the focus. Methods A cross-sectional study on vaccine hesitancy was conducted from July to September 2021 and included adult population from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia (1605 individuals). Convenience sampling was applied using anonymized online questionnaire (shared through social media) measuring, among others, trust in societal factors, social responsibility and, the credibility of information sources about COVID-19 vaccines. Results The highest degree of trust in societal factors was found in North Macedonia (M = 3.65, SD = 1.06), followed by Montenegro (M = 3.50, SD = 1.19) and Serbia (M = 3.24, SD = 1.26). In Albania 44.7% respondents believed in reluctance of pharmaceutical companies to publish detailed research reports on the risks of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. The view that the health authorities when they encourage vaccination do so with the best intentions supported 66,3% respondents in North Macedonia and 49% in Albania and Serbia. The highest level of social responsibility (M = 4.12, SD = 1.09) was revealed in North Macedonia. Primary care physicians, health professionals in media, webpages of public health institutions, and scientific literature are the most trusted sources of information about COVID-19 in all countries. Conclusions The study demonstrated moderate trust in societal factors and moderately high level of social responsibility in all countries. The health professionals enjoy the greatest trust, which implies that medical doctors, especially physicians in primary health care should have a pivotal role in promoting vaccination and educating the general public in the Western Balkans.

Can YouTube be used as a credible source of information for COVID-19 vaccination in Italy?

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to an ‘infodemic', as defined by the WHO, which made it difficult to be accurately informed on public health topics. For this purpose, many people use social media as a source of information, mainly YouTube. Given the great resonance of this platform, our study aims at assessing quality and reliability of its content regarding the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods During March 2022, six searches were performed on the Italian YouTube platform using the following terms: “Covid vaccination”, “Covid vaccine”, “Coronavirus vaccination”, “Coronavirus vaccine”, “Sars-Cov-2 vaccination” and “Sars-Cov-2 vaccine”. A total of 329 videos were analysed, after removing 271 duplicated videos, and classified in seven types of channel. The reliability of the content was evaluated through the HoNCode score, while quality was tested using the validated DISCERN tool. Results The most frequent category was ‘Internet Media’ (33%), while the less frequent one was ‘Educational Medical’ (7%). The content reliability (i.e. HoNCode score) resulted higher for videos produced by medical healthcare workers than non-medical ones. Concerning the quality, the DISCERN score resulted significantly higher for the Educational channels (median 46.0 for medical and 41.3 non-medical ones) as compared to Internet Media (26.5) and New Agencies (24.3). Conclusions Although YouTube has implemented a policy against misinformation related to the COVID-19 vaccination, the study highlights that there is extreme heterogeneity in reliability and quality of videos. Content produced by non-medical users, especially “Internet Media” and “News Agencies” categories should be evaluated with attention by users, as their quality is not appropriate to the importance of the topic. Key messages • Because of to the heterogeneity of its content, YouTube should be evaluated carefully when used as a source of information for Covid-19 vaccination. • Content produced by non-medical users, is generally of poor quality, not appropriate to the importance of the topic.