JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Seeking health information on the internet is very popular. Xigua video, a short video platform in China, ranks among the most accessed websites and hosts an increasing number of videos with medical information. However, their quality is sometimes unscientific, misleading, or even harmful.

Objective:

As little is known about Xigua video as a source of information on breast cancer, we aimed to investigate the content, quality and reliability of breast cancer-related videos.

Methods:

A search of Xigua video was made using the keyword of “breast cancer” on February 4,2020. The videos were categorized by two doctors as useful information or misleading information. The reliability and quality of the videos was assessed using the five-point DISCERN tool and the five-point Global Quality Score tool.

Results:

Of the 170 videos included in the study, 64 (37.6%) were classified as useful and 106 (62.4%) as misleading information. A total of 71(41.8%) of the videos were generated by individuals versus 33(19.4%) contributed by professionals. The topics of the videos mainly covered aetiology, anatomy, symptoms, preventions, treatments and prognosis. Treatments were the most concerned topic (70%). The reliability score and GQS score of the videos in the useful information group were higher (P<0.001). There were no differences in terms of video lengths, duration months and comments between the two groups. The number of total views was higher for the misleading information group (819,478.5 vs. 647,940) but not at a level of statistical significance (P=0.112). The uploading sources of the videos were mainly professionals, health information websites, medical advertisements and individuals. Statistical differences were found between different uploading source groups in terms of reliability score and GQS score(P<.001). When it came to total views, video lengths, duration months and comments, no statistical differences were shown between different uploading source groups. There was statistical difference between the useful information group and the misleading information group referring to the uploading sources (P<.001).

Conclusions:

Although there are many videos related to breast cancer on Xigua video, a great many of these videos contain misleading information. Therefore, for public information, there is a need for videos with full and accurate information to be made by professionals, to be uploaded to Xigua video and other social media, which are currently important sources of information for the general population.