Meningococcal vaccine information on YouTube in Türkiye: A cross-sectional analysis of content quality and reliability.

چکیده اصلی

Meningococcal infections represent a significant public health concern due to their high mortality and morbidity rates. In Turkey, meningococcal vaccines are not included in the routine immunization schedule, and families increasingly seek health-related information through digital platforms. YouTube, as a widely used video-sharing platform, has the potential to influence public attitudes toward vaccination; however, concerns remain regarding the reliability and quality of its content. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and quality of YouTube videos related to meningococcal vaccines in Turkey. This cross-sectional study analyzed 158 YouTube videos retrieved using the keywords "meningococcal vaccines" and "private vaccines." Videos were evaluated according to uploader type, content features, message tone, and audio-visual quality. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria were used for quality assessment. Of the videos, 55.7% were uploaded by physicians and 92.4% were intended for patient education. Most videos (86.7%) conveyed positive messages about vaccination. Physician-produced videos demonstrated significantly higher quality scores, while videos uploaded by pharmaceutical companies were more up-to-date and had higher view counts. Overall, a considerable proportion of the videos were of moderate or low quality. The quality and reliability of YouTube content on meningococcal vaccines vary substantially. Increasing the availability of evidence-based, high-quality content and encouraging greater involvement of healthcare professionals in digital media are essential to support informed vaccination decisions and reduce vaccine hesitancy.

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