Study shows: Dangerous misinformation about Covid-19 and vitamin D spread on YouTube
Study shows: Dangerous misinformation about Covid-19 and vitamin D spread on YouTube
COVID-19 and vitamin D fehlin formations on YouTube: a content analysis
jmir publications recently published the article “Covid-19 and vitamin D fehlin formations on YouTube: a content analysis” in Jmir Infodemiology. This article shows that although social media platforms such as YouTube can be an inexpensive and effective method for spreading precise health information, misleading and false information that is shared on YouTube can be dangerous for the viewers.
The confusing nature of the data and claims about the advantages of vitamin D, especially in the prevention or healing of Covid-19, influences both the audience and the general commercial interest in "immunosification". The aim of this study was to determine how information about vitamin D and Covid-19 on YouTube was presented in 2020. The YouTube video data on the search terms "Covid", "Coronavirus" and "Vitamin D" were collected and analyzed on content and usefulness criteria.
Qualitative content analysis and simple statistical analysis were used to determine the frequency and scope of disturbing content, such as the confusion between correlation and causality in relation to the advantages of vitamin d.
A total of 77 videos with a total of 10,225,763 were included in the analysis, whereby more than three quarters of them contain misleading content via COVID-19 and vitamin D. In addition, 45 of the 77 videos confused the relationship between vitamin D and Covid-19, with 46 out of 54 videos information that vitamin D has preventive or healing skills
The spread of misinformation is particularly worrying when spreading it by medical experts. Existing data that indicate that vitamin D has immunting skills can contribute to the confusion or displeasure of the viewers in health information.
dr. Cheryl E. Peters said: "The outbreak of the Sars-Cov-2 virus is a serious global threat, accompanied by an 'infodemician' of health and disinformation."
Although social media can be a valuable tool for the free distribution of health messages, especially if they are widespread worldwide, the abundance of both precise and false health information that is available to the general public via mainstream and social media can lead to risky health behavior and in some cases even lead to death.
For example, a recently carried out work by Scher et al.research has shown that people go online to examine and diagnose symptoms, to follow treatments and alternative treatments, to research information from health experts, to explore personal and public health issues and issues, to get in touch with others who have similar health conditions or concerns, and to research and assess health service providers.
There are indications that people use social media to call up health information because they can supplement the information of their health experts and offer social support.
summary
Incorrect or inappropriate information about vitamin D and Covid-19 can be problematic for various reasons, including the reason for people to take dietary supplements and to believe that they are protected from a highly contagious disease that requires attentive public health care and vaccination.
The research team of Dr. In his research, Peters concludes that the results of her study indicate that confusing information about vitamin D prevails with preventive or healing skills towards Covid-19 on social media and dominating online discussions.
The concerns related to the people who spread this type of health -fitting formations are unique in the unprecedented times of global pandemic, in which the public may be looking for advice on how to stay healthy.
Easily accessible online platforms can help reduce the spread of SARS-COV-2. However, if misinformation are publicly shared, this can lead to an increased spread of the virus or other poor health results both directly and in the future.
This study is an important contribution to public health because it shows that health specialists are an essential source of misleading information about the relationship between vitamin D and covid-19 infection and severity.
The practical steps to cope with this challenge include the provision of measures against misinformation as well as the prevention or debut of methods to contain risky “immunity behavior” in social media and to prevent the avoidable negative health consequences of unnecessary nutritional supplement.
Source: Jmir Publications
Article reference: Quinn, e.K., et al. (2022) COVID-19 and vitamin D fehlin formations on YouTube: a content analysis. Jmir Infodemiology. doi.org/10.2196/32452