Social media engagement, perpetuating selected information, and accuracy regarding CA SB-201: Treatment or intervention on the sex characteristics of a minor

HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook from 2019 to 2021: Did COVID make a difference?

Objective

HPV vaccination is recommended for children beginning at age 9 to prevent several types of cancer. Many parents turn to Facebook for health information. This study describes changes in HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

HPV-related articles shared on Facebook (2019-2021) were collected using Buzzsumo, a social media analytics tool and analyzed using content analysis. Articles were categorized by valence, misinformation, evidence types, persuasive tactics, and framing. We quantified these data and tested for difference by article year.

Results

Of the 138 included articles, 51% had positive valence towards the vaccine and 36% had negative valence. In 2021, there was a significant increase in positive messaging (72% vs. 44% in 2019/2020; p < 0.01) and misinformation decreased from 50% in 2019 to 24% in 2021 (p = 0.04). Persuasive strategies were more common in 2019 than in later years.

Conclusion

Despite decreased engagement in 2021, more positive HPV vaccine messaging was observed, although a quarter of articles still contained misinformation. Our results can inform strategies for communicating with parents about the HPV vaccine.

Innovation

Our study is the first to analyze HPV-related articles linked on Facebook and to assess for differences during the pandemic.

Media Depiction of Birth Differences of the Upper Extremity: Accuracy of Shared Diagnoses

BACKGROUND

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of public representation of congenital differences of the upper extremities. We hypothesized that there is an over-diagnosis of certain diagnoses such as amniotic constriction band and under-diagnosis of others such as symbrachydactyly and radial deficiency.

METHODS

Publicly shared images and associated diagnoses were searched on publicly available news media and social media accounts published from October 2018 through November 2021 using key terms such as "amniotic band syndrome," "congenital arm amputation," and "3D prosthetic arm" as well as The Lucky Fin Project account on Instagram. The images were collected and reviewed by 2 congenital hand surgeons. The surgeons' diagnoses were then compared to the reported diagnoses associated with each image to assess accuracy.

RESULTS

A total of 100 images were collected with the reported diagnosis associated with each image. Two images were removed due to evidence of prior surgery. The hand surgeons' diagnosis disagreed with the reported diagnosis in 60 of 98 (61%) images. Of those 60 inaccurate diagnoses, 2/3 were reported as amniotic constriction band.

CONCLUSIONS

Media and social media depictions of congenital upper extremity differences are frequently inaccurate, and our search demonstrated that the amniotic constriction band is the most commonly reported, inaccurate diagnosis. Accuracy of diagnosis in public media is important given the impact a diagnosis has on those viewing and sharing the images.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, diagnostic.

Diagnosis of DSD in Children—Development of New Tools for a Structured Diagnostic and Information Management Program within the Empower-DSD Study

Background: Current recommendations define a structured diagnostic process, transparent information, and psychosocial support by a specialized, multi-professional team as central in the care for children and adolescents with genital variations and a suspected difference of sex development (DSD). The active involvement of the child and their parents in shared decision-making should result in an individualized care plan. So far, this process has not been standardized. Methods: Within the Empower-DSD study, a team of professionals and representatives of patient advocacy groups developed a new diagnostic and information management program based on current recommendations and existing patient information. Results: The information management defines and standardizes generic care elements for the first weeks after a suspected DSD diagnosis. Three different tools were developed: a guideline for the specialized multiprofessional team, a personal health record and information kit for the child with DSD and their family, and a booklet for medical staff not specialized in DSD. Conclusions: The new information management offers guidance for patients and professionals during the first weeks after a DSD diagnosis is suspected. The developed tools’ evaluation will provide further insight into the diagnostic and information-sharing process as well as into all of the involved stakeholders’ needs.