Zika virus on youtube: An analysis of english-language video content by source

Corey H. Basch, Isaac Chun Hai Fung, Rodney N. Hammond, Elizabeth B. Blankenship, Zion Tsz Ho Tse, King Wa Fu, Patrick Ip, Charles E. Basch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the source, length, number of views, and content of the most widely viewed Zika virus (ZIKV)-related YouTube videos. We hypothesized that ZIKV-related videos uploaded by different sources contained different content. Methods: The 100 most viewed English ZIKV-related videos were manually coded and analyzed statistically. Results: Among the 100 videos, there were 43 consumer-generated videos, 38 Internet-based news videos, 15 TV-based news videos, and 4 professional videos. Internet news sources captured over two-Thirds of the total of 8 894 505 views. Compared with consumer-generated videos, Internet-based news videos were more likely to mention the impact of ZIKV on babies (odds ratio [OR], 6.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64 to 23.76), the number of cases in Latin America (OR, 5.63; 95% CI, 1.47 to 21.52); and ZIKV in Africa (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.04 to 6.31). Compared with consumer-generated videos, TV-based news videos were more likely to express anxiety or fear of catching ZIKV (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.36 to 32.70); to highlight fear of ZIKV among members of the public (OR, 7.45; 95% CI, 1.20 to 46.16); and to discuss avoiding pregnancy (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.13 to 13.25). Conclusions: Public health agencies should establish a larger presence on YouTube to reach more people with evidence-based information about ZIKV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)133-140
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
Volume50
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2017

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Keywords

  • Zika virus, Health communication, Internet, Social media

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