Abstract

Title :

Analysis of format and reliability of health articles on Thai social media

By :

Charunet Singhe

 Pornpawee pongsri


Degree : DOCTOR OF PHARMACY
Advisor :

Thanawadee Preeprem 

Keywords :

 Health articles, Online, Quality assessment criteria, Quality assessment tool

   

Introduction: The distribution of health information through online media is common. Online media provides easy access and can be forwarded freely. However, incorrect information may cause harm to readers; therefore, content evaluation is needed. Currently, the study on characteristics and reliability of health information on social media is limited. In addition, there is no appropriate tool for assessing online health information. This research comprises of three objectives: (1) to analyze the characteristics and reliability of health articles on Thai social media through various assessments according to the criteria set by the researcher, (2) to enable the public and public health personnel to know and be aware about the current situation of characteristics and reliability of health articles on Thai social media and (3) to provide the publisher a set of article quality assessment tool to be applied prior to article publication. Methods: This study examined health articles that were published between January 1st and December 31st, 2018 from two selected Thai popular websites. A total of 263 articles were included in this study. The analysis of characteristics and reliability of health articles was performed on 6 aspects (22 criteria) of quality assessment tool developed by the researchers. Results: Most health articles on Thai social media have the overall characteristics and reliability at the good and moderate levels (45.25% and 35.36%, respectively). Articles that need improvement account for 11.41% while only 7.98% are the outstanding ones. Regarding the content validity and accuracy, most articles (90.53%) are well supported by reliable references; however, many articles contain some mistakes on facts and suggestions. Among 22 features of quality assessment, many articles failed to reach an acceptable level in 8 areas: presence of a conclusion section; proper use of supporting figures, graphs or tables; clear explanation of supporting figures, graphs or tables; author disclosure; validity of citations; accuracy of facts; accuracy of suggestions and proper explanation of practical suggestions. Conclusions: Health articles on Thai websites potentially lack inspection in some aspects. Most articles are partially correct and some article characteristics may be further improved. Readers can benefit more if publishers adopt our article characteristics and reliability assessment tool to check and revise health articles prior to web publishing.Introduction: The distribution of health information through online media is common. Online media provides easy access and can be forwarded freely. However, incorrect information may cause harm to readers; therefore, content evaluation is needed. Currently, the study on characteristics and reliability of health information on social media is limited. In addition, there is no appropriate tool for assessing online health information.This research comprises of two objectives: (1) to develop a tool to assess article format and reliability of online health articles and (2) to analyze article format and reliability of health articles published in two Thai websites. Methods: This study examined health articles that were published between January 1st and December 31st, 2018 from two selected Thai popular websites. A total of 263 articles were included in this study. The analysis of characteristics and reliability of health articles was performed on 6 aspects (22 criteria) of quality assessment tool developed by the researchers. Results: Most health articles on Thai social media have the overall characteristics and reliability at the good and moderate levels (4445..2549% and 3335..436%, respectively). Articles that need improvement account for 131.341% while only 87.74598% are the outstanding ones. Regarding the content validity and accuracy, most articles (90.5349%) are well supported by reliable references; however, many articles contain some mistakes on facts and suggestions. Among 2222 features of quality assessment, many articles failed to reach an acceptable level in 8 areas: presence of a conclusion section; proper use of supporting figures, graphs or tables; clear explanation of supporting figures, graphs or tables; author disclosure; validity of citations; proper explanation of practical suggestions; accuracy of facts accuracy of suggestions. Conclusions: Health articles on Thai websites potentially lack inspection in some aspects. Most articles are partially correct and some article characteristics may be further improved. Readers can benefit more if publishers adopt our article characteristics and reliability assessment tool to check and revise health articles prior to web publishing.

   
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