Evaluation of consumer health information about monkeypox on X (formerly twitter)
1
Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
2
Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,, Ibadan, Nigeria
3
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
4
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
5
Department of Paediatrics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
6
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Mpox presents a significant global health concern, especially following its resurgence in 2022, with over 99,000 confirmed cases across 116 countries. As its prevalence grows, individuals increasingly seek and share information on social media. This study assessed the quality and reliability of Mpox-related health information on X (formerly Twitter).
METHODS:
Five search terms were used to retrieve Mpox-related tweets on a single day in November 2024, yielding 279 posts. A questionnaire, based on WHO and CDC fact sheets, was used to evaluate accuracy. Two independent reviewers assessed reliability and quality using the modified DISCERN tool and Global Quality Scale (GQS), respectively. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0, with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Most tweets (69.2%) were by non-health professionals. About 45.2% had fewer than 100 retweets. One-third (30%) were rated as very low quality, while only 11.8% were very high quality. Posts from health professionals had the highest quality (mean GQS = 2.82 ± 1.33), compared to individuals (2.35 ± 1.28), though not statistically significant (p = 0.154). Nearly half (45.2%) showed low reliability. Posts with higher engagement had significantly lower GQS (r = −1.57, p = 0.009) and DISCERN scores (r = −1.57, p = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS:
Mpox-related health information on X is generally of low quality and reliability. Given the speed at which misinformation spreads, coordinated efforts by public health agencies, healthcare providers, and social media platforms are needed to promote accurate health information.
Mpox presents a significant global health concern, especially following its resurgence in 2022, with over 99,000 confirmed cases across 116 countries. As its prevalence grows, individuals increasingly seek and share information on social media. This study assessed the quality and reliability of Mpox-related health information on X (formerly Twitter).
METHODS:
Five search terms were used to retrieve Mpox-related tweets on a single day in November 2024, yielding 279 posts. A questionnaire, based on WHO and CDC fact sheets, was used to evaluate accuracy. Two independent reviewers assessed reliability and quality using the modified DISCERN tool and Global Quality Scale (GQS), respectively. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0, with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Most tweets (69.2%) were by non-health professionals. About 45.2% had fewer than 100 retweets. One-third (30%) were rated as very low quality, while only 11.8% were very high quality. Posts from health professionals had the highest quality (mean GQS = 2.82 ± 1.33), compared to individuals (2.35 ± 1.28), though not statistically significant (p = 0.154). Nearly half (45.2%) showed low reliability. Posts with higher engagement had significantly lower GQS (r = −1.57, p = 0.009) and DISCERN scores (r = −1.57, p = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS:
Mpox-related health information on X is generally of low quality and reliability. Given the speed at which misinformation spreads, coordinated efforts by public health agencies, healthcare providers, and social media platforms are needed to promote accurate health information.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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