Brief report
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage on YouTube

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2008.06.029Get rights and content

Background

A large percentage of Internet users regularly search for health-related information. In recent years, participatory Internet sites such as YouTube have become increasingly popular, in part because individuals are able to both retrieve and post information. This study analyzed how human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was portrayed in videoclips and viewer-posted comments available on YouTube.

Methods

YouTube (www.youtube.com) was queried on February 8, 2008, using the search terms Gardasil, cervical cancer vaccination, and HPV vaccination to identify and download relevant videoclips. Videoclips were classified as either positively or negatively portraying HPV vaccination, and viewer-posted comments were enumerated. Data analyses were conducted immediately following videoclip retrieval.

Results

A total of 146 unique YouTube videoclips were located, using the three search keywords combined. Three quarters (n=109; 74.7%) of the videoclips portrayed HPV vaccination in a positive manner. One third (n=47; 32.2%) of the videoclips had generated at least one posted comment.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that there is a wide variety of information on YouTube regarding HPV vaccination and cervical cancer. As a result, public health and medical professionals need to be cognizant of the nature of the HPV-related information available, so that they are better equipped to respond to patients who acquire information posted on YouTube and other Internet sources.

Section snippets

Background

The availability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a promising advance in both public health and cancer control. Despite the efficacy1 and subsequent recommendations for widespread dissemination,2 issues regarding payment, eligibility, and the timing of the administration of HPV vaccination have yet to be resolved.3 Large cross-sectional studies throughout the world4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 have shown positive parental support for the HPV vaccination. Conversely, the Texas Governor's attempt

Data Extraction

YouTube (www.youtube.com) was searched on February 8, 2008, to locate videoclips related to HPV vaccination. Specifically, the keywords Gardasil, cervical cancer vaccination, and HPV vaccination were entered directly into the YouTube search toolbar to identify videoclips. Each videoclip was downloaded and saved in its entirety (N=418). Data analyses were conducted immediately following the videoclip retrieval.

Videoclips that met any of the exclusion criteria were eliminated from the final

Review of Video Content

A total of 146 unique YouTube videoclips were located, using the three search keywords combined. Three quarters (n=109, 74.7%) of the videoclips portrayed HPV vaccination in a positive manner, while the remainder portrayed HPV vaccination negatively (n=37, 25.3%).

The number of videoclips by presentation type was as follows: national TV news coverage (n=11, 9/11 positive portrayals of HPV vaccination); local TV news coverage (n=26, 25/26 positive portrayals of HPV vaccination); TV commercial (n

Discussion

The most important finding of this study was that 75% of the reviewed videoclips portrayed HPV vaccination in a positive light. These findings are similar to those reported by Keelan et al.,20 where approximately one half of the videoclips portrayed HPV vaccination in a positive manner. Of note was the fact that the number of HPV vaccination videoclips posted on YouTube had increased by more than 100 over the past year alone.20

Because much of the information on the Internet regarding

Conclusion

Despite these limitations, this study has several important implications. These results demonstrate that there is a wide variety of information on YouTube regarding HPV vaccination and cervical cancer. Therefore, an outlet such as YouTube has significant potential to sway individuals' attitudes both for and against HPV vaccination. Future research should focus on the impact of YouTube videoclips in specific populations and overall acceptance of HPV vaccination.

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