Original article / research
Quality and Content Analysis of YouTube Videos Regarding Antibiotic use in Dentistry: A Cross-sectional Study
ZC52-ZC57
Correspondence
Dr. Prethipa Roland,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Velappanchavadi, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: rolandprethipap.sdc@saveetha.com
Introduction: Antibiotic misuse is a major global public health problem that contributes to antimicrobial resistance. India is among the largest consumers of antibiotics worldwide.YouTube, widely used for accessing health-related information, hosts content on antibiotic use that includes misinformation, which may mislead patients who bypass professional consultations. Despite the growing use of YouTube as a source of health information, limited evidence exists about the accuracy and reliability of content related to antibiotics in dentistry.
Aim: To assess YouTube videos related to the use of antibiotics in dentistry for their content and overall quality, including clarity, accuracy, technical quality, overall flow, completeness of information, and usefulness to patients.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted via YouTube between January 2024 and March 2024 at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Of the 300 videos initially identified across all predefined search terms, 29 met the primary inclusion criteria: English-language videos related to the study topic, with clear audio-visual quality and relevant educational content. Video demographics, source, length, and viewer interaction indices were recorded. Content analysis was performed using a 10-point rating system. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) and Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI) were applied to assess the overall quality of the videos. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, Cohen’s kappa, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), as appropriate. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean content score was 3.51±2.13 out of 10, (p=0.0004) between rich and poor content videos, while the mean GQS value was 2.64/5 (p=0.0203), showing statistical significance. VIQI scores averaged 10.08/20, with no significant differences (p=0.853). Among the 29 videos analysed, the major contributors were general channels (n=11; 37.93%), followed by health care professionals (27.59%), educational series 5 (17.24%), and health care centres 4 (13.79%). Only one video (3.45%) was uploaded by a dental association (such as the American Dental Association). Regarding geographic origin, the majority were uploaded from India, 8 (28%) and from the USA 7 (24%), while the remaining videos were from other countries.
Conclusion: YouTube videos on antibiotics in dentistry generally exhibited poor content and moderate quality. Addressing antimicrobial resistance requires responsible prescription practices and patient education on appropriate antibiotic use.