Analysis of Google users' interests in information about pacifiers: an ecological digital study

Area of Science:

• Infodemiology
• Computational Social Science

Background:

• Pacifier use is a common topic among parents and caregivers.
• Understanding user information-seeking behavior is crucial for targeted health education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze global Google user interest in pacifier-related information over time.
• To identify trends and key themes in pacifier searches across different countries.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal retrospective ecological study analyzed Google Trends data from 22 countries (2004-2024).
• Relative Search Volume (RSV) time series and queries were analyzed using seasonal decomposition and Mann-Kendall tests.
• Qualitative evaluation of search queries identified user interests.

Main Results:

• A significant upward trend in pacifier-related Google searches was observed globally.
• Popular search queries included specific pacifier types, brands, and general newborn/baby care, with a notable focus on breastfeeding.
• Mann-Kendall tests confirmed the statistical significance of these upward trends.

Conclusions:

• Google user interest in pacifier topics has demonstrably increased.
• These findings offer insights into parental needs and concerns, aiding the development of educational strategies for pacifier use.
• The study highlights the utility of infodemiology in understanding public health information-seeking behaviors.