Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa

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Aim: This research evaluates the accuracy of information provided in Instagram posts about placenta previa. Method: The two most frequently utilized hashtags about placenta previa have been identified and selected for further analysis. The selected hashtags are #placenta and #placentaprevia. The Instagram search algorithm returned 595,000 posts for the hashtag #placenta and 31,000 posts for the hashtag #placentaprevia. For each hashtag, the 'Top 100 Posts' were recorded (n = 100), and 139 out of 200 posts were found to meet the research criteria. Two independent medical professionals assessed the information's reliability through a modified DISCERN analysis that included five questions. Descriptive statistics were computed, and assessments were conducted utilizing the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test to assess the interactions of variables and identify statistically significant differences among groups (p < 0.05; statistical significance set at α = 0.05). Results: Of the posts, 20.1% (n = 28) were authored by physicians, 11.5% (n = 16) by patients, and 68.3% (n = 95) by other healthcare professionals. A comparison of the credibility of the information presented in the posts revealed a notable discrepancy between those shared by medical professionals and those from other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: While the posts of medical professionals are typically more reliable and useful than other content on the platform, it is important to note that Instagram posts often lack accuracy and reliability in the information provided for patients.