JMIR infodemiology最新文献

Background: Patients increasingly rely on short-video platforms for information regarding in vitro fertilization (IVF), yet the relationship between the scientific quality of this content and its algorithmic dissemination remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality, reliability, and key drivers of dissemination of IVF-related short videos on major Chinese social media platforms.

Methods: A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on 300 popular IVF-related videos (the top 100 results from each platform) retrieved from Douyin, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu between January 10 and 15, 2025. Video quality and reliability were evaluated using the Global Quality Score and a modified DISCERN instrument. Predictors of video dissemination were identified using an Extreme Gradient Boosting machine learning model, with the number of "likes" serving as the primary outcome variable.

Results: Content produced by medical professionals demonstrated significantly higher quality and reliability (median mDISCERN 11.0, IQR 9.0-15.0) compared to non-medical sources (median mDISCERN 8.0, IQR 5.0-13.0; P< .001). However, the Extreme Gradient Boosting analysis identified the uploader's follower count as the most powerful predictor of video "likes." In contrast, quality metrics (Global Quality Score and modified DISCERN scores) had a negligible impact on dissemination.

Conclusions: In the current Chinese social media landscape, the dissemination of IVF-related videos is strongly associated with creator influence rather than scientific merit. This disconnect between engagement and quality poses a potential risk of misinformation, highlighting the need for medical professionals to adopt platform-native communication strategies to ensure that high-quality information reaches patients.

Background: Language barriers between Canadian patients and providers are associated with poorer health outcomes, including decreased patient safety and quality of care, misdiagnosis and longer treatment initiation times, and increased mortality. However, research exploring language as a social determinant of health is limited, as Canada's health data is scattered across many jurisdictions, each with its own policies and procedures, making it difficult for researchers to identify, locate, and use existing data. This paper presents the results of a pilot study that attempts to address this gap by creating a metadata repository (MDR) to act as a central source of information about what data is available at which data holdings across Canada.

Objective: This project had several objectives: 1) To create a proof-of-concept metadata repository for Canadian health data at the variable level. 2) To identify and label language-related variables existing within our MDR of Canadian health data. 3) To develop an interactive public-facing web application to let users browse and search the MDR.

Methods: Metadata were collected from five Canadian health data sources, including four provincial data holdings and one national survey, and pooled to create a data repository. We then performed bottom-up labelling of language-related variables within the pooled metadata by first employing a search string algorithm across all variable labels, names and definitions, and then consensus screening of these variables using a derived, standardized definition of language/linguistic variables. Using the Shiny web framework in R, we then developed an openly accessible web application (healthdatadictionary.ca) to allow users to search the proof-of-concept MDR.

Results: A total of n=850,343 variables were collected and included in the repository, with most coming from the Ontario (n=712,037; 83.7%) and Manitoba (n=97,051; 11.5%) provincial data holdings. Among all variables in the repository, n=213,696 (25.1%) were confirmed to be language-related variables.

Conclusions: Developing a national metadata repository would be a transformative opportunity for Canadian researchers to leverage the full scope of Canadian health administrative data. While a top-down approach with consistent engagement of and collaboration between provincial data holdings and federal data agencies is ideal to develop a national MDR, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of a bottom-up approach in contributing to this overarching goal.

Clinicaltrial:

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss, particularly in the Middle East. With the rise of online health information, many patients turn to the internet for knowledge about health conditions. However, the accuracy and quality of this information can be questionable, particularly in languages other than English.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the quality and reliability of Arabic websites on DR to address this knowledge gap and improve patient care.

Methods: The first 100 Arabic search results for DR were examined on Google, focusing on patient education websites in Arabic. Content was assessed using a 20-question model, quality was evaluated with the DISCERN instrument, and reliability was measured using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark. Two independent raters conducted evaluations, and data were analyzed with SPSS (IBM Corp). Descriptive statistics were used for website characteristics, and the first 10 Google web pages were compared to others using bivariate analysis with a significance level of P<.05.

Results: A Google search yielded 178,000 websites, and the first 100 were examined, with 29 meeting inclusion criteria. Most were hospital or medical center sites (n=20, 69%). The DISCERN assessment showed a low mean score of 36.59(SD 9.32) out of 80 points, with most rated "poor" or "very poor." The JAMA benchmarks indicated low reliability, with 62% (18/29) failing to meet any criteria.

Conclusions: This study identified significant failings in the content, quality, and reliability of Arabic websites on diabetic retinopathy, highlighting the need for stronger evidence-based online resources focused on early disease prevention.

Background: Alcohol consumption in China poses significant public health challenges. Alcohol marketing has been shown to increase public alcohol consumption, with social media platforms such as Douyin (TikTok in Mainland China) being among the main channels for alcohol marketing.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the thematic content of alcohol advertising on the Douyin platform and to explore the factors influencing the popularity of these types of advertising.

Methods: Using data from the JINGDONG platform and alcohol industry reports, we identified 40 popular alcohol brands. For each brand, we located their official Douyin accounts and selected the top 20 most-liked videos posted between November 1, 2020, and November 1, 2021. In total, 659 videos from 37 brands were collected for analysis. Two trained researchers independently coded each video using a predefined codebook, which consisted of 7 sections and 20 items. Binary logistic regression was conducted with the grouping of the number of likes as the dependent variable, and the marketing strategies and warning elements of each video as independent variables.

Results: Among the 659 videos analyzed, 320 (48.6%) garnered more than 1000 likes. A significant portion of the videos was direct advertisements (281/659, 42.6%) and short skits (255/659, 38.7%), with 56.0% (369/659) featuring characters engaging in drinking-related behaviors or directly consuming alcohol. Additionally, many videos highlighted brand elements (510/659, 77.4%) and extended features (161/659, 24.4%). Cultural themes were also common, with 23.2% (153/659) of the videos promoting the enjoyment of life and 6.8% (45/659) emphasizing balance in life. However, age restrictions were missing for 26.9% (177/659) of the videos, and only 1.2% (8/659) included a health warning stating that "Drinking is harmful to health." Certain marketing strategies were significantly associated with greater video popularity, including the use of short skits (odds ratio [OR] 2.77, 95% CI 1.42-5.41), highlighting brand elements (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.59-5.51), and emphasizing life balance (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.11-10.66). In contrast, the presence of age restrictions (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15-0.67) and explicit health warnings (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.84) were associated with lower popularity. The period from July to September and November was the peak release period for alcohol advertisements on Douyin.

Conclusions: Alcohol marketing strategies on Douyin leverage experiential, brand-driven, collaborative, and cultural marketing techniques to enhance video attractiveness and create alcogenic environments. Moreover, effective age restrictions and health warnings are largely absent. It is essential to legislate and enforce stricter alcohol marketing regulations to reduce the health risks associated with alcohol marketing.

Background: Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are foundational to both individual autonomy and global well-being. Misinformation in this domain poses serious risks by undermining evidence-based decision-making, weakening systems of accountability, and perpetuating social injustices.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the forms, spread, and impacts of misinformation related to SRHR in digital spaces, with a particular focus on implications for the protection and promotion of human rights.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of scientific papers and gray literature. It was guided by the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) population, exposure, and outcomes framework. The extracted information was documented following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. Thematic analysis was carried out and mapped against human rights standards: (1) equality and nondiscrimination; (2) Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality; (3) informed decision-making; (4) privacy and confidentiality; (5) participation and inclusion; and (6) accountability.

Results: Of the 254 eligible studies and documents, 133 focused on the information ecosystem, 37 on the individual, 32 on service delivery and health system, 31 on law and policy, and 21 on community levels. SRHR misinformation impacts individuals' informed SRHR decisions by shaping their beliefs, attitudes, and health-seeking behaviors. It reinforces harmful and discriminatory social norms at community levels and the exclusion of marginalized voices. SRHR misinformation impacts health systems by shaping provider knowledge and practice, disrupting service delivery, and creating barriers to equitable care. It may function as a legal and policy tool to erode SRHR protections. The design of online platforms, digital marketing strategies, and content moderation policies enables misinformation to spread widely while restricting credible SRHR content.

Conclusions: SRHR misinformation in digital spaces is a systemic issue that undermines human rights across multiple levels, highlighting the urgent need for integrated, rights-based approaches to research, policy, and intervention.

Background: Digital media memes have emerged as influential tools in health communication, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. While they offer opportunities for emotional engagement and community resilience, they also act as vectors for health misinformation, contributing to the global infodemic. Despite growing interest in their communicative power, the role of memes in shaping public perception and misinformation diffusion remains underexplored in infodemiology.

Objective: This integrative review aims to analyze how memes influence emotional, behavioral, and ideological responses to health crises, and to examine their dual role as both contributors to and potential mitigators of infodemics. The paper also explores strategies for integrating memes into public health campaigns and infodemic management.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 3 major databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science), identifying a total of 386 records. Following duplicate removal and eligibility screening, 14 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 were included. An integrative narrative approach was used to synthesize evidence on social media behavior, misinformation dynamics, and digital health campaigns. The analysis was grounded in infodemiological and infoveillance frameworks as established by Eysenbach, incorporating insights from psychology, media studies, and public health.

Results: Memes function as emotionally salient and visually potent carriers of health-related narratives. While they can simplify complex messages and foster adaptive humor during crises, they are also susceptible to distortion, particularly in echo chambers and conspiracy communities. Findings reveal that misinformation-laden memes often leverage humor and disgust to bypass critical thinking, and their viral potential is linked to emotional intensity. However, memes have also been successfully integrated into prebunking strategies, increasing engagement and reducing susceptibility to false claims when culturally tailored. The review identifies key mechanisms that enhance or hinder the infodemiological value of memes, including political orientation, digital literacy, and narrative framing.

Conclusions: Memes are a double-edged sword in the context of infodemics. Their integration into infodemic surveillance and digital health campaigns requires a nuanced understanding of their emotional, cultural, and epistemic effects. Public health institutions should incorporate meme analysis into real-time infoveillance systems, apply evidence-based meme formats in prebunking efforts, and foster digital literacy that enables critical meme consumption. Future infodemiology research should further explore the long-term behavioral impacts of memetic misinformation and the scalability of meme-based interventions.

Background: Patients with knee osteoarthritis have a considerable need for information about their condition, its progression, and available treatments. Decision-making is often complex and requires evidence-based health information material (HIM). When medical consultations do not sufficiently address patients' needs, many seek additional information independently.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the quality of German-language HIM on knee osteoarthritis treatment and its suitability for supporting informed choice. In particular, the study analyzed the content of the HIM and assessed the balance in the presentation of treatment options.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. HIM was identified through a combination of search strategies, including a systematic internet search using commonly used German terms related to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Identified HIMs were independently assessed by 2 raters using the validated Mapping the Quality of Health Information (MAPPinfo) checklist, which operationalizes the criteria of the Guideline Evidence-Based Health Information. Information quality was calculated on a scale from 0% to 100%, representing compliance with the quality standard. A descriptive content analysis was also carried out to examine the range and balance of treatment options presented, as well as the reporting of benefits and complications associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The presence of certification was recorded.

Results: A total of 94 HIMs were included. On average, the material met 14.6% (SD 9.4%) of the quality criteria. HIM from public and nonprofit providers performed better (mean 40.1%, SD 3.6% and mean 37.2%, SD 23.1%, respectively) than those from other providers. Overall, 14 HIMs presented treatment options in a balanced manner. Among the 78 HIMs that covered TKA, 38.5% (n=30) did not report any benefits, and 35.9% (n=28) omitted potential complications. Certified HIMs showed only moderately higher information quality than uncertified material (mean 26.8%, SD 16% vs mean 12.7%, SD 5.9%).

Conclusions: Our results highlight the urgent need to improve the quality of German-language HIM on knee osteoarthritis. The deficits identified are fundamental and affect all dimensions of information quality. Although HIM from public or nonprofit organizations has better information quality, this does not facilitate informed choice. The frequent omission of complications and benefits of TKA and the unbalanced presentation of treatment options can influence decisions. Until structural improvements are made, patients seeking quality information should favor material from public or nonprofit providers. Additionally, the MAPPinfo checklist could form the basis of a differentiated certification system to make information quality more transparent for patients.