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Zulianello dos Santos R, Scheafer Korbes A, Batista Bonin CD, Marques Vieira A, Karsten M, Benetti M, Oh P, Ghisi GLDM. Preliminary Effects of a Structured Educational Program in Cardiac Patients at Different Stages of Enrollment in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation. COMMUNITY HEALTH EQUITY RESEARCH & POLICY 2024; 44:365-376. [PMID: 38817096 PMCID: PMC11143761 DOI: 10.1177/0272684x221080119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
This quasi-experimental study investigated the preliminary effects of a structured education intervention in a pooled sample of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) patients in Brazil. Recently enrolled (RE) and long-term enrolled (LTE) patients attended 12 weekly education sessions in addition to three weekly exercise sessions. Patients completed surveys assessing disease-related knowledge, physical activity, food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy. Functional capacity was assessed by the 6-minutes walking test. All outcomes were assessed at pre-,post-CR, and 6-months follow-up. Bonferroni correction was applied. In total, 69 (69.7%) patients completed all three assessments. There were significant improvements in knowledge pre-to post-test in both subgroups (p < 0.001), and in functional capacity (p ≤ 0.001) and food intake (p ≤ 0.001) pre-to post-test in the RE subgroup. Post-test knowledge was correlated to physical activity, functional capacity and health literacy. This preliminary study suggests the importance of structured education for CR patients. A larger study using a randomized controlled design is needed to determine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Scheafer Korbes
- Cardio Oncology and Exercise Medicine Nucleus (NCME), University of Santa Catarina State, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Christiani D. Batista Bonin
- Cardio Oncology and Exercise Medicine Nucleus (NCME), University of Santa Catarina State, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ariany Marques Vieira
- Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marlus Karsten
- Cardio Oncology and Exercise Medicine Nucleus (NCME), University of Santa Catarina State, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Magnus Benetti
- Cardio Oncology and Exercise Medicine Nucleus (NCME), University of Santa Catarina State, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Paul Oh
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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de Jesus PR, Bianchini BV, Ziegelmann PK, Dal Pizzol TDS. The low health literacy in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1478. [PMID: 38824501 PMCID: PMC11144327 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health literacy (HL) impacts people's health and well-being. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), there are no general estimates of the prevalence of low HL. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low HL among citizens of LAC and identify the tools used to measure it. METHODS We included observational studies quantifying the prevalence of low HL in people living in LAC. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, LILACS, PsycINFO, Redalyc, SciELO, Web of Science, PQDT, and the reference lists of the included studies in June 2023. Two reviewers independently conducted the selection, extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Meta-analysis of proportions using random effects models was used to summarize the prevalence of low HL estimated. This prevalence was measured in each study using different classification methods: word recognition items, reading and numeracy comprehension items, and self-reported comprehension items. RESULTS Eighty four studies involving 23,914 participants from 15 countries were included. We identified 23 tools to assess HL, and most of the studies were carried out in health services. The pooled prevalence of low HL were 44.02% (95%CI: 36.12-52.24) for reading and numeracy comprehension items, 50.62% (95%CI: 41.82-59.39) for word recognition items, and 41.73% (95%CI: 31.76-52.43) for self-reported comprehension items. CONCLUSION Despite the variability in the prevalence of low HL and a diversity of tools, the average of low HL is of concern. Almost half of the participants in the included studies have low HL. Most of the studies targeted users of healthcare services. Further research investigating the prevalence of low HL in the general population and actions focused on health education, communication, and information are necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42021250286).
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Romualdo de Jesus
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Bianca Vendruscolo Bianchini
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Klarmann Ziegelmann
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Lotto M, Maschio KF, Silva KK, Ayala Aguirre PE, Cruvinel A, Cruvinel T. eHEALS as a predictive factor of digital health information seeking behavior among Brazilian undergraduate students. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daab182. [PMID: 34718563 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to perform the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) for Brazilian Portuguese. The cross-cultural adaptation was conducted through conceptual equivalence, verbatim translation, semantic, item and operational equivalence, and back-translation. Subsequently, 521 undergraduate students answered the adapted version of the eHEALS, the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and sociodemographic and health-related questions. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the dimensionality, internal consistency, stability and concurrent/convergent/discriminant/predictive validities of the eHEALS (p < 0.05). The adequacy of sample size was confirmed by a non-identity correlation matrix (Bartlett's test of sphericity, p < 0.001), without influence of multicollinearity (determinant = 0.026). The confirmatory factor analysis identified four factors in agreement to the constructs namely as online searching self-efficacy, awareness of available sources, information usage ability, and critical analysis of useful information. The eHEALS displayed an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88), a good stability (ICC = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.49-0.84), and it was significantly correlated with GSES (concurrent validity). Higher eHEALS scores were identified among (i) white and (ii) younger students, (iii) from health sciences courses, (iv) with more years of graduation, (v) who their fathers were working in specialized functions (discriminant validity), and (vi) among those who were frequently interested in digital health information (convergent validity). The students with higher eHealth literacy levels were more likely to seek health information in the last 24 h (predictive validity). In conclusion, the eHEALS demonstrated adequate psychometric properties to be applied for the Brazilian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Lotto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Vila Universitária, 17012-901Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kaiane Fátima Maschio
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Rodovia SC 484 Km 02, Bairro Fronteira Sul, 89815-899, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Kimberly Kamila Silva
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Rodovia SC 484 Km 02, Bairro Fronteira Sul, 89815-899, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Patricia Estefania Ayala Aguirre
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Vila Universitária, 17012-901Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agnes Cruvinel
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Rodovia SC 484 Km 02, Bairro Fronteira Sul, 89815-899, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cruvinel
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Vila Universitária, 17012-901Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
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Campanino C, Falone A, Rossi E, Angeletti LL, Cassioli E, Gemignani S, Brogioni G, Castellini G, Bonaccorsi G, Mannucci E, Ricca V, Rotella F. Health literacy in female patients affected by anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: a cross-sectional study with pair-matched controls. Eat Weight Disord 2023; 28:59. [PMID: 37439911 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01588-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Health Literacy (HL) consists in all the skills and knowledges used by people to understand and seek health-related information. Inadequate levels of HL substantially affect many different aspects of health. The primary aim of the present study was to assess levels of HL in female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), compared with matched control subjects. METHODS A consecutive series of 64 female patients with AN and BN (mean age 23.1 ± 7.0) was enrolled, matched with 64 female control subjects (mean age 23.7 ± 7.1). Both groups completed the Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), which evaluate subjective and objective HL level respectively. RESULTS Patients with AN and BN showed lower levels of subjective HL (10.0 ± 3.5 vs. 11.3 ± 3.0) and higher levels of objective HL (5.0 ± 1.3 vs. 3.6 ± 1.6) when compared with controls. No difference between AN and BN was found. No correlation between HLS-EU-Q16 Total Score and duration of illness was found. A negative correlation was found between EDE-Q Eating Concerns and subjective HL levels. HLS-EU-Q16 Total Score was predicted by educational level in control subjects only, while NVS Total Score was not predicted by educational level in control subjects nor in patients. CONCLUSION Patients with AN and BN had lower levels of subjective HL. NVS scores could overestimate objective HL in female patients with AN and BN. The promotion of HL in areas differing from those that concern nutritional characteristics of food, could be a therapeutic target for these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Campanino
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Falone
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rossi
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Cassioli
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Gemignani
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulietta Brogioni
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Castellini
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Valdo Ricca
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Tavousi M, Mohammadi S, Sadighi J, Zarei F, Kermani RM, Rostami R, Montazeri A. Measuring health literacy: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis of instruments from 1993 to 2021. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271524. [PMID: 35839272 PMCID: PMC9286266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been about 30 years since the first health literacy instrument was developed. This study aimed to review all existing instruments to summarize the current knowledge on the development of existing measurement instruments and their possible translation and validation in other languages different from the original languages. METHODS The review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar on all published papers on health literacy instrument development and psychometric properties in English biomedical journals from 1993 to the end of 2021. RESULTS The findings were summarized and synthesized on several headings, including general instruments, condition specific health literacy instruments (disease & content), population- specific instruments, and electronic health. Overall, 4848 citations were retrieved. After removing duplicates (n = 2336) and non-related papers (n = 2175), 361 studies (162 papers introducing an instrument and 199 papers reporting translation and psychometric properties of an original instrument) were selected for the final review. The original instruments included 39 general health literacy instruments, 90 condition specific (disease or content) health literacy instruments, 22 population- specific instruments, and 11 electronic health literacy instruments. Almost all papers reported reliability and validity, and the findings indicated that most existing health literacy instruments benefit from some relatively good psychometric properties. CONCLUSION This review highlighted that there were more than enough instruments for measuring health literacy. In addition, we found that a number of instruments did not report psychometric properties sufficiently. However, evidence suggest that well developed instruments and those reported adequate measures of validation could be helpful if appropriately selected based on objectives of a given study. Perhaps an authorized institution such as World Health Organization should take responsibility and provide a clear guideline for measuring health literacy as appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Tavousi
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jila Sadighi
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zarei
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Education, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Mozafari Kermani
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahele Rostami
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Montazeri
- Health Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Humanity Sciences, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
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Jacinto AF, Hill K, Toye C, Ferreira M, Bertoni A, Slatyer S, Burton E. Test-retest reliability of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-Br) in Brazilian carers of older people. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2021; 67:500-504. [PMID: 34495051 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20201102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Hill
- Monash University - Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Marília Ferreira
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Botucatu (SP), Brazil
| | - Aline Bertoni
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Botucatu (SP), Brazil
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Sfeatcu R, Lie SA, Funieru C, Åström AN, Virtanen JI. The reliability and validity of the Romanian rapid estimate of adult literacy in dentistry (RREALD-30). Acta Odontol Scand 2021; 79:132-138. [PMID: 32881604 DOI: 10.1080/00016357.2020.1814405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to translate and adapt the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (RREALD-30) instrument for Romanian urban adults and to test its reliability and validity for oral health literacy studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study examined urban adult patients (n = 224) who attended the dental school clinic at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Bucharest. We collected data through face-to-face interviews utilising the REALD-30 instrument. The interviews enquired about the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), background characteristics, oral health-related knowledge, visits to dentists and self-rated oral health status. We applied principal component analysis for factor structure and Item Response Theory models to discriminate ability. A structural equation model (SEM) evaluated whether knowledge, perceived oral health, and visits to the dentist mediate the effect of RREALD on OHIP-14. RESULTS Of the 224 participants, 113 (50.4%) were males. The internal consistency of the RREALD-30 measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.88. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.98, ICC 0.90). RREALD-30 exhibited good concurrent and predictive validity. SEM demonstrated that RREALD mediated the effect of visits to dentist on OHIP-14. CONCLUSION The RREALD-30 proved satisfactory psychometric properties and may serve to evaluate dental health literacy among Romanian adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Sfeatcu
- Oral Health and Community Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - S. A. Lie
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - C. Funieru
- Preventive Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A. N. Åström
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - J. I. Virtanen
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Santos O, Stefanovska-Petkovska M, Virgolino A, Miranda AC, Costa J, Fernandes E, Cardoso S, Vaz Carneiro A. Functional Health Literacy: Psychometric Properties of the Newest Vital Sign for Portuguese Adolescents (NVS-PTeen). Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13030790. [PMID: 33673682 PMCID: PMC7997379 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-management of health requires skills to obtain, process, understand, and use health-related information. Assessment of adolescents’ functional health literacy requires valid, reliable, and low-burden tools. The main objective of this study was to adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Newest Vital Sign for the Portuguese adolescents’ population (NVS-PTeen). Classic psychometric indicators of reliability and validity were combined with item response theory (IRT) analyses in a cross-sectional survey, complemented with a 3-month test-retest assessment. The NVS-PTeen was self-administered to students enrolled in grades 8 to 12 (12 to 17 years old) in a school setting. Overall, 386 students (191 girls) from 16 classes of the same school participated in the study (mean age = 14.5; SD = 1.5). Internal reliability of the NVS-PTeen was α = 0.60. The NVS-PTeen total score was positively and significantly correlated with Portuguese (r = 0.28) and mathematics scores (r = 0.31), school years (r = 0.31), and age (r = 0.19). Similar to the original scale (for the U.S.), the NVS-PTeen is composed of two dimensions, reading-related literacy and numeracy. Temporal reliability is adequate, though with a learning effect. IRT analyses revealed differences in difficulty and discriminative capacity among items, all with adequate outfit and infit values. Results showed that the NVS-PTeen is valid and reliable, sensible to inter-individual educational differences, and adequate for regular screening of functional health literacy in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Santos
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Unbreakable Idea Research, Lda., 2550-426 Painho, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-936-103-168
| | - Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Ana Cristina Miranda
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Joana Costa
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | | | - Susana Cardoso
- MARE, Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-614 Peniche, Portugal;
- CiTechCare, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
| | - António Vaz Carneiro
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.-P.); (A.V.); (A.C.M.); (J.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Cochrane Portugal, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Nabarrette M, Carneiro DPA, Santos PRD, Araujo CVDS, Carvalho ALMD, Meneghim MDC, Vedovello SAS. On-line Searches for Terms Related to Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic Worldwide. PESQUISA BRASILEIRA EM ODONTOPEDIATRIA E CLÍNICA INTEGRADA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/pboci.2021.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Lotto M, Aguirre PEA, Strieder AP, Cruvinel AFP, Cruvinel T. Levels of toothache-related interests of Google and YouTube users from developed and developing countries over time. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7706. [PMID: 31616582 PMCID: PMC6790224 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The preferences of Web users can be influenced by distinct factors of populations. Hence, hypothetically, source-based patterns of health-related Web searches might differ between individuals from developed and developing countries, due to their distinct educational, social, economic, political, cultural, and psychosocial backgrounds. In this context, this study aimed to determine the trends of toothache-related searches performed on Google Search and YouTube, regarding differences between developed and developing countries. Methods This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed computational metadata on toothache-related interests of Internet users. Google Trends was accessed to obtain the monthly variation of relative search volume (RSV) of the topic “Toothache-Disease” on Google (G) and YouTube (YT) through 2008–2017. Autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots, ARIMA models, Kruskal–Wallis, Dunn’s and T tests were performed for evaluating trends, 12-month forecasts and the differences of annual ratios of YT/G searches between developed and developing countries, respectively (P < 0.05). Results Uptrends of RSVs were observed in both country groups over time, although 12-month forecasts tended to plateau.The volumes of searches were higher in developed countries in comparison to developing ones; however, this difference was not observed regarding Google searches performed between 2016 and 2017. Independently of country groups, the ratios YT/G remained relatively constant throughout the period, indicating a greater interest in toothache-related information available on Google. Conclusion In conclusion, toothache-related searches from Google and YouTube increased during the last decade. The preferences of Web users seemed to be influenced by the differences between developed and developing countries, such as the availability and penetration of the Internet, and education levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Lotto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia E A Aguirre
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna P Strieder
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agnes F P Cruvinel
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cruvinel
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
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