Anemia-related YouTube videos: A source of knowledge or misinformation?

This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, and popularity of anemia-related videos on the YouTube social media platform.

A total of 50 English-language videos were selected by searching the keyword "anemia" on YouTube in March 2024 using an incognito mode on a desktop device in Turkey. The "relevance" filter was used as it reflects default user behavior and prioritizes algorithmically ranked results. Duplicate, non-English, music-only, and promotional videos were excluded. Videos were evaluated using DISCERN, global quality score (GQS), JAMA benchmark criteria, and video power index (VPI), calculated as: VPI = like ratio (%) × view rate (/day) / 100.

Of the 50 videos analyzed, 2% were uploaded by patients, 10% by non-physician healthcare professionals, 14% by media organizations, 24% by independent physicians, and 50% by medical institutions. The mean VPI was 246.76 ± 356.29, GQS 3.53 ± 0.81, JAMA 2.30 ± 0.97, and DISCERN 48.24 ± 11.94. A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of likes, like ratio, and GQS scores (p = 0.027 and p = 0.012, respectively). VPI showed a weak but significant correlation with GQS (p = 0.047, r = 0.28). Video duration showed a moderate correlation with DISCERN (r = 0.394, p = 0.005) and a weak correlation with JAMA scores (r = 0.338, p = 0.016).

The quality and reliability of anemia-related videos on YouTube are generally moderate and variable. Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals were significantly more reliable and of higher quality. These findings highlight the need for health professionals to produce accurate and engaging content and for users to be guided toward evidence-based sources.