Net Foundation Research Articles

Analysis of Trustworthiness and Readability of English and Spanish Hypo- and Hyperthyroid-Related Online Patient Education Information.

This study aims to determine the readability and trustworthiness of English and Spanish hypo- and hyperthyroid-related online information. Google searches were conducted for four search terms: hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease, hyperthyroidism, and Graves' Disease. For each search term, the first 10 websites were analyzed with a total of 40 websites analyzed. Readability formulas were used to determine English and Spanish readability. Trustworthiness was determined using HONcode status, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and NLM Trustworthy Score. Overall readability largely exceeded recommended grade levels. Only 1 website (2.5%) presented information below the eighth-grade reading level based on overall Readability Consensus score, while 31 websites (77.5%) exceeded this threshold for all measures. The mean (SD) English readability grade level was 9.6 (3.44); the mean (SD) Spanish grade was 8.5 (4.58). No significant relationships were found between the JAMA Benchmark Criteria, NLM Trustworthy Score, HONcode status, and readability. 67.5% of websites analyzed (n = 27) were certified with the Health on the Net Foundation's code of conduct. Websites about common thyroid-related conditions have overall poor readability. The availability of resources for Spanish-speaking patients is also poor. Steps should be taken to ensure that online health-related materials are comprehensible. Physicians should recognize that patients may have few trustworthy and easy-to-understand sources to access information. The readability and trustworthiness of sources should be considered when providing patients suggested sources for further reading. It may be particularly helpful for physicians to utilize websites with favorable readability scores such as the American Thyroid Association website.

Evaluating the Readability, Quality, and Reliability of Online Patient Education Materials on Spinal Cord Stimulation.

To obtain health-related information internet usage is rapidly increasing. However, there are concerns about the comprehensibility and reliability of internet-accessed health-related information. The aim of this research was to investigate the reliability, quality, and readability of patient education materials (PEMs) about spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on the internet. A total of 114 websites suitable for the study were identified after a search on Google for the term "spinal cord stimulation." Gunning Fog (GFOG), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) were used to determine the readability of sites. The credibility of the websites was assessed using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score. Quality was assessed using the global quality score (GQS), the DISCERN score, and the Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct (HONcode). Evaluating the text sections, the mean SMOG and FKGL were 10.92 ± 1.61 and 11.62 ± 2.11 years, respectively, and the mean FRES and GFOG were 45.32 ± 10.71 and 14.62 ± 2.24 (both very difficult), respectively. Of all the websites, 10.5% were found to be of high quality, 13.2% were found to be of high reliability, and only 6.1% had a HONcode. A significant difference was found between the typologies of the websites and the reliability and quality scores (p < 0.05). The internet-based PEMs about SCS were found to have a readability level that exceeded the Grade 6 level recommended by the National Health Institute. However, the materials demonstrated low reliability and poor quality. It is advisable that websites addressing Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), a specific neuromodulation technique among various interventional strategies for chronic pain management, maintain readability standards in line with established indexes and provide content that is reliable and tailored to the general public's educational level.

Evaluation of YouTube Videos for Information and Education on Amblyopia

Background: YouTube is a popular social media platform accessed by people to obtain relevant health and disease-related information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate YouTube videos as a source of information on amblyopia. Material and Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study a YouTube search was conducted using three keywords, ‘Lazy eye’, ‘amblyopia’ and ‘Lazy eye treatment’ on 26th January, 2022. Video quality assessment was done using Modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), Global Quality Score and the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) scale. Video content was analysed as a health professional and non-health professional, video length, release date, daily view count and Video Power Index. The relationship between the groups and video quality was evaluated. Results: Of the 300 initial videos investigated for the study, 219 videos met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to statistical analysis. Nearly 50% of videos contained content related to medical education. More than half of the videos analysed (130; 59.36%) were uploaded by healthcare professionals (HCPs). The mDISCERN mean ± SD score for the videos was 2.65 ± 1.24, for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring was 2.37 ± 1.02 and for the HONcode was 3.72 ± 1.75. All scoring systems were better for HCPs as compared with non-healthcare professionals (NHCPs). Conclusion: A wide variety of information about amblyopia is available on YouTube™. Videos uploaded by NHCP had suboptimal flow as well as information of limited use to patients.

Assessment of online patient education material for eye cancers: A cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study was to assess online American patient education material (PEM) related to eye cancers in order to determine the quality of the content and appropriateness of the contents' reading level as it relates to the American population. PEMs were extracted from fifteen American cancer and ophthalmology associations and evaluated for their reading level using ten validated readability scales. PEMs then had all words extracted and evaluated for their difficulty and familiarity. The quality of the PEMS were assessed according to DISCERN, Heath On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONCode), and JAMA benchmarks. Overall, online PEMs from the associations were written at a 11th grade reading level, which is above the recommended 6th grade reading level. The difficult word analysis identified that 26% of words were unfamiliar. Only one of the fifteen association held a HONCode certification while no organization met the standards of all four JAMA benchmarks. The average score for DISCERN was 2.4 out of a total of 5 for the fifteen questions related to treatment option information quality. Consideration should be made to create PEMs at an appropriate grade reading level to encourage health literacy and ultimately promote health outcomes. Associations should also focus on incorporating easily identifiable quality indicators to allow patients to better identify reputable resources.

Evaluating the readability, quality, and reliability of online information on sjogren's syndrome

Background: There are concerns over the reliability and comprehensibility of health-related information on Internet. The goal of our research was to analyze at the readability, reliability, and quality of information obtained from websites associated with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the term “Sjogren's Syndrome” was used to perform a search on Google, and 75 eligible websites were identified on September 15, 2021. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning Fog (GFOG) were used to evaluate the readability of the website. The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) score was used to assess the websites' reliability, the DISCERN score, the Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct (HONcode) was used to assess quality, and Alexa was used to analyze their popularity. Results: The results revealed that the mean FRES was 42.25 ± 17.11 (difficult), and the mean GFOG was 14.80 ± 3.56 years (very difficult). According to the JAMA scores, 24% of the websites had a high-reliability rating and 26.7% adhered to the HONcode. The readability was found to significantly differ from the reliability of the websites (P < 0.001). Moreover, websites with scientific content were found to have higher readability and reliability scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The readability of SS-related information on the Internet was found to be considerably higher than that recommended by the National Health Institute's Grade 6, with moderate reliability and fair quality. We believe that online information should have some level of readability and must have reliable content that is appropriate to educate the public, particularly for websites that provide with patient education material.

Readability, reliability and credibility of online patient information on skin grafts.

Skin grafting reflects a common dermatological procedure for closing skin defects. Patient education is important for managing expectation and optimising skin graft take. While health information is increasingly accessed on the internet, there are no existing studies assessing their quality. The first 25 results from Google, Microsoft Bing and Yahoo! search engines using the term 'skin graft' were analysed using a variety of standard instruments. Readability was assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade score (FKG), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the New Dale-Chall Readability Index (NDC). Reliability was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and credibility with the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria (JAMA). Transparency was identified by presence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code certification (HON-code). Seventy-five websites were identified. After exclusion, forty-three remaining websites were analysed with average FKG, GFI and SMOG scores of 7.8, 10.1 and 10.7, respectively. The average NDC was 5.9. The average reliability was fair with a DISCERN score based on the first 15 questions of the instrument of 42.6. The mean JAMA score was 2, and 9 websites displayed the HON-code certificate. Readability, reliability and credibility of online health information regarding skin grafting can be improved. Health care providers should critically assess existing online patient information or develop alternative material to educate patients undergoing skin graft surgery.

Credibility, Accuracy, and Comprehensiveness of Readily Available Internet-Based Information on Treatment and Management of Peripheral Artery Disease and Intermittent Claudication: Review.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions of people worldwide, and a core component of management of the condition is self-management. The internet is an important source of health information for many people. However, the content of websites regarding treatment recommendations for PAD has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to assess the credibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of websites found via a common search engine, by comparing the content to current guidelines for treatment and management of PAD and intermittent claudication (IC). A review of websites from hospitals, universities, governments, consumer organizations, and professional associations in the United States and the United Kingdom was conducted. Website recommendations for the treatment of PAD and IC were coded in accordance with the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Primary outcomes were website credibility (4-item Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark), website accuracy (in terms of the percentage of accurate recommendations), and comprehensiveness of website recommendations (in terms of the percentage of guideline recommendations that were appropriately covered). Secondary outcomes were readability (Flesch-Kincaid grade level) and website quality (Health On the Net Foundation's code of conduct). After screening, 62 websites were included in this analysis. Only 45% (28/62) of websites met the credibility requirement by stating they were updated after the NICE guidelines were published. Declaration of authorship and funding and the presence of reference lists were less commonly reported. Regarding accuracy, 81% (556/685) of website recommendations were deemed accurate on following NICE's and the AHA's recommendations. Comprehensiveness was low, with an average of 40% (25/62) of guideline treatment recommendations being appropriately covered by websites. In most cases, readability scores revealed that the websites were too complex for web-based consumer health information. Web-based information from reputable sources about the treatment and management of PAD and IC are generally accurate but have low comprehensiveness, credibility, and readability.

Evaluating the readability, quality and reliability of online information on Behçet's disease.

There are concerns over the reliability and comprehensibility of health-related information on the internet. The goal of our research was to analyze the readability, reliability, and quality of information obtained from websites associated with Behçet's disease (BD). On September 20, 2021, the term BD was used to perform a search on Google, and 100 eligible websites were identified. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Gunning Fog (GFOG) were used to evaluate the readability of the website. The JAMA score was used to assess the websites' reliability, the DISCERN score and the Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct (HONcode) were used to assess quality, and Alexa was used to analyze their popularity. Sections of the text were evaluated, and the results revealed that the mean FRES was 35.49±14.42 (difficult) and the mean GFOG was 14.93±3.13 years (very difficult). According to the JAMA scores, 36% of the websites had a high reliability rating and 20% adhered to the HONcode. The readability was found to significantly differ from the reliability of the websites (p<0.05). Moreover, websites with scientific content were found to have higher readability and reliability (p<0.05). The readability of BD-related information on the Internet was found to be considerably higher than that recommended by the National Health Institute's Grade 6, with moderate reliability and good quality. We believe that online information should have some level of readability and must have reliable content that is appropriate to educate the public, particularly for websites that provide with patient education material.

Proximal Humerus Fracture: An Evaluation of the Readability and Value of Web-Based Knowledge.

BackgroundIn today’s scientifically developed world, the majority of patients use different websites to explore sophisticated and varied health knowledge. Consequently, healthcare specialists remain concerned that patients may be betrayed. Currently, there is a scarcity of information on the importance and legibility of online health data on proximal humerus fractures. This study aimed to assess the readability and value of existing web-based evidence regarding fractures of the proximal humerus.MethodologyA search of three keywords, namely, broken shoulder, proximal humerus fracture, and broken humerus, was performed using the top three internet search engines. The first five pages of every search browser were analyzed. After discarding duplicate websites, 80 websites were found to be suitable for the analysis. Website quality was scored using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and the DISCERN criteria. The presence or absence of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) certification and author characteristics were noted. The degree of readability was measured using six unique parameters, namely, the Automated Readability Index, Flesch Reading Ease Score, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau index, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning-Fog Index.ResultsIn total, 80 specific websites were fit for evaluation and analysis. On the DISCERN tool, six (7.5%) websites revealed a high score. Only 20 websites fulfilled all four JAMA benchmark criteria. Of the total 80, only 17 were HON code-certified websites. Readability was variable but the majority was at the college level.ConclusionsThe most important result of this study is the low value, readability, and clarity of online testimony regarding proximal humerus fractures.

Quality of online information for the general public on familial hypercholesterolaemia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality and readability of web-based information on familial hypercholesterolaemia. Design, setting and methods: Internet searches using the terms ‘familial hypercholesterolemia’, ‘hypercholesterolemia’, ‘inherited high cholesterol’, ‘hereditary high cholesterol’ and ‘inherited high LDL’ were conducted with the Google, Yahoo! and Bing search engines using default settings during August 2021. The first 50 web links that appeared using each search engine were evaluated using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and DISCERN instrument for readability and the quality of the website. The LIDA tool was used to assess reliability and usability. Results: In all, 750 websites were accessed and 38 websites were included in the analysis. The majority of the websites (29, 76.3%) were owned by non-governmental institutions. Twelve (30.8%) websites were certified by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) code of conduct. Only 17 websites (44.7%) had a stated author. Twenty-nine (76.3%) websites had a stated date of publication. Only 16 (42.1%) provided references for the statements made. Infographics were used in 17 (44.7%) websites. The median FRES was 47.15 (range: 22.3–91.8), which is equivalent to college-level readability. The median LIDA usability and reliability score was 38.00 (range: 25–46) and 15.00 (range: 7–24), respectively. The median DISCERN score was 45.00 (range: 17–76). The DISCERN score was significantly associated with the FRES (0.047) and whether the website was governmental or not (0.028). Conclusion: According to this study, the readability, reliability, usability and quality of the majority of websites were inadequate. Due to the rapid growth in the use of the Internet, steps need to be taken to standardise and regulate patient education websites for this and perhaps other health conditions.

Quality of Web-Based Patient Information on Robotic Radical Cystectomy Remains Poor: A Standardized Assessment.

Patients frequently use the Web to obtain health information. This trend increased during the COVID19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the quality of Web-based information on robot-assisted radical cystectomy. A Web search was conducted in November 2021 using the 3 most common engines (Google/Bing/Yahoo). Search terms were "robotic cystectomy," "robot-assisted cystectomy," and "robotic radical cystectomy." The top 25 results generated for each term by each search engine were included. Duplicate pages, pages advertised, and pages with paywall access were excluded. Selected websites were classified as academic, physician, commercial, and unspecified. The quality of site contents was evaluated using the DISCERN and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) assessment instruments, and HONcode (Health on the Net Foundation) seal and reference presence. Flesch Reading Ease Score was used for readability assessment. Of the 225 sites examined only 34 were eligible for analysis, including 35.3% classified as "academic," 44.1% "physician," 11.8% "commercial," and 8.8% "unspecified." Average±SD DISCERN and JAMA scores were 45.5±15.7 and 1.9±1.1, respectively. Commercial websites had the highest DISCERN and JAMA scores with a mean±SD of 64.7±8.7 and 3.6±0.5, respectively. Physician websites had a significantly lower JAMA mean score than commercial ones (p <0.001). Six websites had HONcode seals and 10 reported references. Readability was difficult as it was at the level of college graduate. As the role of robot-assisted radical cystectomy continues to grow worldwide, the overall quality of Web-based information related to this procedure remains poor. An effort should be made by health care providers to assure patients can have better access to reliable and readable informational material.

Evaluating the readability, quality and reliability of online patient education materials on post-covid pain.

BackgroundThe use of the Internet to access healthcare-related information is increasing day by day. However, there are concerns regarding the reliability and comprehensibility of this information. This study aimed to investigate the readability, reliability, and quality of Internet-based patient educational materials (PEM) related to “post-COVID-19 pain.”MethodsOne-hundred websites that fit the purposes of the study were identified by searching for the terms “post-COVID-19 pain” and “pain after COVID-19” using the Google search engine on February 24, 2022. The website readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Gunning FOG (GFOG). The reliability, quality, and popularity of the websites were assessed using the JAMA score, DISCERN score/Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct, and Alexa, respectively.ResultsUpon investigation of the textual contents, the mean FRES was 51.40 ± 10.65 (difficult), the mean FKGL and SMOG were 10.93 ± 2.17 and 9.83 ± 1.66 years, respectively, and the mean GFOG was 13.14 ± 2.16 (very difficult). Furthermore, 24.5% of the websites were highly reliable according to JAMA scores, 8% were of high quality according to GQS values, and 10% were HONcode-compliant. There was a statistically significant difference between the website types and reliability (p = 0.003) and quality scores (p = 0.002).ConclusionThe readability level of PEM on post-COVID-19 pain was considerably higher than grade 6 educational level, as recommended by the National Institutes of Health, and had low reliability and poor quality. We suggest that Internet-based PEM should have a certain degree of readability that is in accordance with the educational level of the general public and feature reliable content.

Three-Dimensional Modeling on Load-Transferring Mechanism of Rigid Pile–Net Composite Foundation

Three-Dimensional Modeling on Load-Transferring Mechanism of Rigid Pile–Net Composite Foundation

Quality and readability of online information on plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur.

Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur are common causes of heel pain in the community. People use the Internet to obtain medical information about diseases. We reviewed Internet information sources on plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur for quality and readability. The first 50 websites for each search term ("calcaneal spur", "heel spur", and "plantar fasciitis") were scanned on www.google.com . Six different valid tools were used for information quality and readability assessment. We searched for HONCode (Health On the Net Foundation Code) stamps on included websites. The total mean points for DISCERN were 50.52 ± 14.62, and the total mean points for JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) were 2.42 ± 1.26. In total, 25.72% of 97 websites had HONCode stamps. The average scores for the readability indicators were calculated to be Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL): 7.27 ± 1.71, Gunning Fog: 8.46 ± 2.17, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG): 6.89 ± 1.24, and Coleman Liau Index: 15.56 ± 1.85. In our study, when the website resources were examined, there were profit websites the most and website quality and readability were moderate level. A significant proportion of the websites have a financial bias and provide low-quality information. A mechanism for monitoring the quality and readability of online information must be established and managed systematically.

Quality, Readability, and Accessibility of Online Content From a Google Search of "Macular Degeneration": Critical Analysis.

This work aims to assess the quality, accountability, readability, accessibility, and presence of Spanish translation in online material through a Google search of "macular degeneration". In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis of website results from a Google search of "macular degeneration", the quality and accountability for each website were assessed using the DISCERN criteria and the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) principles. All 31 sites were independently graded by 2 ophthalmologists. Readability was evaluated using an online tool. The presence of accessibility features on the website and Spanish translation was recorded. The primary outcome measure was the DISCERN and HONcode quality and accountability scores of each website. Secondary outcome measures included the readability, accessibility, and presence of Spanish translation. The mean ± SD of each criterion across all 15 DISCERN questions was 2.761 ± 0.666 (out of 5). The mean HONcode score for all websites was 7.355 ± 3.123. The mean consensus reading grade level was 10.258 ± 2.49. There were no statistically significant differences in any score between the top 5 websites and the bottom 26 websites evaluated. Accessibility was available on 10 of 31 websites. Spanish translation was available on 10 of 31 websites. The top 5 websites that appeared on a Google search did not have better quality or readability of online content. Improving quality, accountability, and readability can help improve patients' health literacy regarding macular degeneration.

Apps for Promoting Children's Oral Health: Systematic Search in App Stores and Quality Evaluation.

BackgroundIncreasingly, mobile apps are being used to promote oral care. Many of them are aimed at children.ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically search and evaluate apps that promote oral care and hygiene for children.MethodsA broad search strategy (13 keywords) was developed to identify apps from Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store in April 2019. After reviewing the apps’ titles and summaries, potentially relevant apps were downloaded for viewing. The quality of the apps that met the inclusion criteria was assessed by the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode) criteria for medical and health websites and the Scientific Basis of Oral Self-care (SBOSC).ResultsMore than 3000 Apps were identified and 54 relevant apps informed the review. The quality of the apps according to the HONcode criteria was generally low. The mean HONcode score was 1.8/8.0. One-quarter of the apps had a HONcode score of 0 (14/54, 26%). The SBOSC score of the apps was evaluated based on a 6-point scale. The mean SBOSC score was 1.5/6.0; 19% (10/54) of the apps had a score of 0. There was a significant and positive correlation between HONcode and SBOSC scores (r=0.37; P<.01). More recently uploaded apps had significantly higher HONcode scores (P<.05).ConclusionsThere are many apps aiming to promote oral self-care among children. The quality and scientific basis of these apps are low. Newer apps are of higher quality in terms of scientific basis. There is a need to ensure high-quality and evidence-based apps are available. The effectiveness of apps in terms of oral care and clinical outcomes among children needs to be evaluated.

Evaluating the impact of education on clinician integration of guidelines, real-world data, and patient perspectives on gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).

e23005 Background: Targeted therapies for somatostatin receptor-positive NETs have seen significant developments in recent years. Approved and investigational somatostatin analogs for GEP-NETs are changing the treatment landscape for these cancers allowing for better management of difficult-to-treat heterogeneous tumors. To improve competence in applying these advances and to consider patient perspectives in treatment selection, an educational initiative was designed in collaboration with the Healing NET Foundation. Methods: A 1-hour CME activity was broadcast live-online in October 2021 and remains on-demand through October 2022 at OMedLive.com. The first module of the CME activity focused on real-world and quality-of-life data, and consensus guidelines related to somatostatin analogs (SSA) and peptide receptor radiotherapies (PRRT). The second module of the CME activity highlighted patient perspectives based on interviews of real patient with SSA and PRRT experience. This second section was distributed via social media through the Healing NET Foundation. Knowledge and competence questions were administered pre-, immediate post-, and 2 mos. post-activity. McNemar tests compared paired responses (pre/post &amp; pre/2 mos) with Cohen’s d for effect size. Results: As of 01/28/22, 238 clinicians have participated in the activity, 80% of whom are physicians, advanced practitioners (NP/PA), and nurses. Through social distribution, the patient perspectives were viewed by 300 patients/caregivers. Across the four CME test questions low baseline knowledge/competence was observed when selecting treatment with SSA based on reported progression-free survival and time to deterioration of quality of life from clinical trial data. Clinical considerations based on patient perspectives and prophylactic regimens with PRRT also revealed low baseline knowledge/competence. Statistically significant improvements were seen for pre/post paired responses across all four CME questions with gains ranging from 25% to 53%. The greatest challenge managing a patient with GEP-NET, was identified as adherence to treatment schedules. At 2-mos. follow-up, 90% and 95% reported improved behavioral impact on both clinical practice and patient experience/outcomes, respectively. Qualitative data including clinician write-in examples of behavioral impact and patient perspectives from the interviews will be shared. Conclusions: Assessments reveal a positive impact of live-online education on clinical practice when sharing patient perspectives in context of clinical updates. Open-ended responses to behavioral impact questions illustrated clear improvements in clinician-reported patient experience and outcomes, clinical practice management, and knowledge of SSA and PRRT for patients with GEP-NETs.

Misinformation About the Human Gut Microbiome in YouTube Videos: Cross-sectional Study.

BackgroundSocial media platforms such as YouTube are integral tools for disseminating information about health and wellness to the public. However, anecdotal reports have cited that the human gut microbiome has been a particular focus of dubious, misleading, and, on occasion, harmful media content. Despite these claims, there have been no published studies investigating this phenomenon within popular social media platforms.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to (1) evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the content in YouTube videos related to the human gut microbiome and (2) investigate the correlation between content engagement metrics and video quality, as defined by validated criteria.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, videos about the human gut microbiome were searched for on the United Kingdom version of YouTube on September 20, 2021. The 600 most-viewed videos were extracted and screened for relevance. The contents and characteristics of the videos were extracted and independently rated using the DISCERN quality criteria by 2 researchers.ResultsOverall, 319 videos accounting for 62,354,628 views were included. Of the 319 videos, 73.4% (n=234) were produced in North America and 78.7% (n=251) were uploaded between 2019 and 2021. A total of 41.1% (131/319) of videos were produced by nonprofit organizations. Of the videos, 16.3% (52/319) included an advertisement for a product or promoted a health-related intervention for financial purposes. Videos by nonmedical education creators had the highest total and preferred viewership. Daily viewership was the highest for videos by internet media sources. The average DISCERN and Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct scores were 49.5 (SE 0.68) out of 80 and 5.05 (SE 2.52) out of 8, respectively. DISCERN scores for videos by medical professionals (mean 53.2, SE 0.17) were significantly higher than for videos by independent content creators (mean 39.1, SE 5.58; P<.001). Videos including promotional materials had significantly lower DISCERN scores than videos without any advertisements or product promotion (P<.001). There was no correlation between DISCERN scores and total viewership, daily viewership, or preferred viewership (number of likes).ConclusionsThe overall quality and reliability of information about the human gut microbiome on YouTube is generally poor. Moreover, there was no correlation between the quality of a video and the level of public engagement. The significant disconnect between reliable sources of information and the public suggests that there is an immediate need for cross-sector initiatives to safeguard vulnerable viewers from the potentially harmful effects of misinformation.

Official Websites Providing Information on COVID-19 Vaccination: Readability and Content Analysis.

BackgroundOnline information on COVID-19 vaccination may influence people’s perception and willingness to be vaccinated. Official websites of vaccination programs have not been systematically assessed before.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess and compare the readability and content quality of web-based information on COVID-19 vaccination posted on official/governmental websites. Furthermore, the relationship between evaluated website parameters and country vaccination rates were calculated.MethodsBy referring to an open data set hosted at Our World in Data, the 58 countries/regions with the highest total vaccination count as of July 8, 2021, were identified. Together with the websites from the World Health Organization and European Union, a total of 60 vaccination campaign websites were targeted. The “frequently asked questions” or “questions and answers” section of the websites were evaluated in terms of readability (Flesch Reading Ease score and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level), quality (Health On the Net Foundation code [HONcode] certification and Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool), and content stating vaccination duration of protection and potential side effects.ResultsIn terms of readability, the Flesch Reading Ease score of the vaccination frequently asked questions websites ranged between 11.2 and 69.5, with a mean of 40.9 (SD 13.2). Meanwhile, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level ranged between 6.5 and 17.6, with a mean of 12.1 (SD 2.8). In terms of quality, only 2 websites were HONcode certified, and the Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool score of the websites ranged between 7 and 20, with a mean of 15.3 (SD 3.1). Half of the websites (25/50) did not present a publication date or date of the last update. Regarding the duration of protection offered by the vaccines, 46% (23/50) of the websites stated that they do not know, and another 40% (20/50) did not address it. Five side effects of the vaccinations were most frequently mentioned, namely, fever/chill (41/50, 82%), various injection site discomfort events (eg, swelling, redness, or pain; 39/50, 78%), headache (36/50, 72%), fatigue (33/50, 66%), and muscle/joint pain (31/50, 62%).ConclusionsIn general, the content quality of most of the evaluated websites was good, but HONcode certification should be considered, content should be written in a more readable manner, and a publication date or date of the last update should be presented.

IQiYi Video as a Source of Information on COVID-19 Vaccine: Content Analysis.

This study aims to assess the contents of COVID-19 vaccine related videos available on iQiYi, which is a popular video website in mainland China. The phrases ""(COVID-19 vaccine) and ""(the abbreviation of "" according to Chinese habits) were searched separately on iQiYi on July 1, 2021. The 200 most popular videos of each search were screened. Video content and characteristics were identified, extracted and independently rated against Global Quality Scale (GQS), Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONCode) and DISCERN principle by two authors. Ninety videos, with a total of 1165596 views, 14498 likes, and 1450 forwards as well as 95 comments at the time of data collection were included in the study. The channels, sources, topics and formats of the videos were diversified. The majority of videos received high scores on GQS and all the videos partly adhere to HONCode and DISCERN principle. Overall quality of information on iQiYi regarding COVID-19 vaccines remains good. However, existing evaluation tools cannot reflect the complexity of video websites. New and more effective tools or standards should be developed to help people understand the modern landscape of health communication better.