Hidden misinformation in YouTube short videos on syphilis: A mixed-methods study

IF 2.1

PEC innovation Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-29 DOI:10.1016/j.pecinn.2025.100428

Emi Furukawa , Tsuyoshi Okuhara , Shinya Ito , Ritsuko Shirabe , Hiroko Okada , Takahiro Kiuchi

{"title":"Hidden misinformation in YouTube short videos on syphilis: A mixed-methods study","authors":"Emi Furukawa , Tsuyoshi Okuhara , Shinya Ito , Ritsuko Shirabe , Hiroko Okada , Takahiro Kiuchi","doi":"10.1016/j.pecinn.2025.100428","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>YouTube short videos constitute a key informational resource for individuals at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted a quality assessment of short videos about syphilis intended for the general public in Japan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In October 2024, a comprehensive sample of YouTube short videos on syphilis was retrieved using keywords frequently used to search for information on the disease. mDISCERN criteria were employed to assess the reliability of the information in the 72 videos selected for analysis. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to qualitatively examine misinformation embedded within the videos.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean mDISCERN score of the videos was 2.0 (SD 0.9) and 80 % of the videos did not meet the reliability criteria. One in five videos potentially hindered audience engagement in health behaviors by inducing fear of the disease, reinforcing stigma and insensitivity toward high-risk individuals, and punitively portraying those infected. Some of these messages originated from healthcare professionals, indicating their potential role in reinforcing such biases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>YouTube short videos can support syphilis awareness and prevention, but difficulties with information reliability and lack of quality are common. Stigmatizing content may hinder health-seeking behaviors. Enhancing the quality and sensitivity of messages, particularly those from healthcare professionals, is essential to maximize their public health impact.</div></div><div><h3>Innovation</h3><div>This study is among the first to analyze YouTube short videos about STIs, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to assess misinformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74407,"journal":{"name":"PEC innovation","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100428"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"PEC innovation","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628225000573","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/8/29 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

YouTube short videos constitute a key informational resource for individuals at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted a quality assessment of short videos about syphilis intended for the general public in Japan.

Methods

In October 2024, a comprehensive sample of YouTube short videos on syphilis was retrieved using keywords frequently used to search for information on the disease. mDISCERN criteria were employed to assess the reliability of the information in the 72 videos selected for analysis. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to qualitatively examine misinformation embedded within the videos.

Results

The mean mDISCERN score of the videos was 2.0 (SD 0.9) and 80 % of the videos did not meet the reliability criteria. One in five videos potentially hindered audience engagement in health behaviors by inducing fear of the disease, reinforcing stigma and insensitivity toward high-risk individuals, and punitively portraying those infected. Some of these messages originated from healthcare professionals, indicating their potential role in reinforcing such biases.

Conclusion

YouTube short videos can support syphilis awareness and prevention, but difficulties with information reliability and lack of quality are common. Stigmatizing content may hinder health-seeking behaviors. Enhancing the quality and sensitivity of messages, particularly those from healthcare professionals, is essential to maximize their public health impact.

Innovation

This study is among the first to analyze YouTube short videos about STIs, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to assess misinformation.

查看原文本刊更多论文

YouTube上关于梅毒的短视频中隐藏的错误信息：一项混合方法研究

目的youtube短视频是性传播感染高危人群的重要信息资源。我们对面向日本公众的梅毒短视频进行了质量评估。方法于2024年10月，使用搜索梅毒相关信息的常用关键词，对YouTube上有关梅毒的短视频进行全面检索。mDISCERN标准被用来评估信息的可靠性，在72个视频选择进行分析。反身性专题分析用于定性地检查视频中嵌入的错误信息。结果视频的mDISCERN评分平均值为2.0 (SD 0.9)， 80%的视频不符合信度标准。五分之一的视频可能会通过诱导对疾病的恐惧，加强对高危人群的耻辱和不敏感以及惩罚性地描绘感染者来阻碍观众参与健康行为。其中一些信息来自医疗保健专业人员，表明他们在强化这种偏见方面的潜在作用。结论youtube短视频对宣传梅毒、预防梅毒有一定的支持作用，但存在信息可靠性差、质量差等问题。污名化的内容可能会阻碍寻求健康的行为。提高信息的质量和敏感性，特别是卫生保健专业人员的信息，对于最大限度地发挥其公共卫生影响至关重要。创新：这项研究首次分析了YouTube上关于性传播感染的短视频，结合定性和定量方法来评估错误信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊