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ABSTRACT
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea is currently the most common sleep breathing disorder worldwide. In recent years, social media has emerged as a major contributor to the spread of health information. With the rise of social video sharing sites such as YouTube, this study aims to investigate the usefulness of YouTube videos as a source of information for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilator users worldwide.
Methods: We searched YouTube using the term ‘CPAP’ and reviewed the first 10 pages (200 videos). Descriptive statistics including source, dislikes and likes were recorded. Two physicians independently analyzed the usefulness of the videos using a 10-point criteria checklist to categorize videos as ‘not useful’ (0), ‘moderately useful’ (1–2) and ‘useful’ (3+).
Results: One hundred and forty-six relevant videos were analyzed; 10% were identified as ‘useful’, 72% as ‘moderately useful’ and 18% as ‘not useful’. ‘Useful’ videos were the longest (median length: 7 min, IQR: 7) and contained the highest number of median views (67511, IQR: 241019), likes (204, IQR: 999), dislikes (15, IQR: 73), comments (50.50, IQR: 236) and shares (159.50, IQR: 703). No significant difference was found between video source and level of usefulness (chi-square = 6.79, P = 0.341).
Conclusions: This study illustrates the possibility of YouTube as a considerable source of information for CPAP users and sleep apnea patients. Given the impact of YouTube with respect to the spread of information, professionals and organizations should strive to provide authentic information regarding CPAP and sleep apnea through the medium of videos.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Mashrur Rahman Kazi
Mashrur Rahman Kazi BSc in kinesiology. His research focuses on physical activity and injury among new immigrants and ethnic minorities in Canada.
Nahid Rumana
Nahid Rumana MBBS, PhD in epidemiology of lifestyle related diseases. Her work focuses on immigrant and refugee health and sleep disorders.
Mohammad Al Mamun
Mohammad Al Mamun MBBS MPH is a public health specialist physician. His research is around infectious disease epidemiology, health education, and use of social media for health communication.
Tasnima Abedin
Tasnima Abedin MSc, PhD is a biostatical associate with the University of Calgary
Mohammad A. A. Lasker
Mohammad A. A. Lasker MBBS is a research associate in the family medicine of the Cumming School of Medicine in the University of Calgary.
Syed Walid Ahmed
Syed Walid Ahmed MBBS is a research associate in the family medicine of the Cumming School of Medicine in the University of Calgary.
Tanvir C. Turin
Tanvir C Turin MBBS, MSc, PhD is an assistant professor and research director in family medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine in the University of Calgary. His research agenda is focused on immigrant and refugee health, health promotion and community engaged scholarship.