TikTok content on measles-rubella vaccine in Jordan: A cross-sectional study highlighting the spread of vaccine misinformation

Maram Abdaljaleel; Muna Barakat; Azmi Mahafzah; Rabih  Hallit; Souheil  Hallit; Malik Sallam

doi:10.52225/narra.v4i2.877

Authors

Maram Abdaljaleel Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9257-2596
Muna Barakat Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7966-1172
Azmi Mahafzah Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
Rabih Hallit School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon; Department of Infectious Disease, Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, Lebanon; Department of Infectious Disease, Notre Dame des Secours, University Hospital Center, Byblos, Lebanon https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1817-6146
Souheil Hallit School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon; Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6918-5689
Malik Sallam Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0165-9670

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v4i2.877

Keywords:

Vaccine misinformation, social media, public health, health communication, vaccine hesitancy

Abstract

Social media platforms, including TikTok, have become influential sources of health information. However, they also present as potential sources for the spread of vaccine misinformation. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine-related contents on TikTok in Jordan and to analyze factors associated with vaccine misinformation. A systematic search for MR vaccine-related TikTok contents in Jordan was conducted using pre-defined keywords and a specified time range. Content metrics (likes, comments, shares, and saves) were collected while the content quality of health information was evaluated using a modified version of the DISCERN, a validated instrument by two expert raters. The average modified DISCERN score ranged from 1, denoting poor content, to 5, indicating excellent content. A total of 50 videos from 34 unique content creators formed the final study sample. The majority of MR vaccine-related content was created by lay individuals (61.8%), followed by TV/news websites/journalists (23.5%), and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (14.7%). The Cohen κ per modified DISCERN item was in the range of 0.579–0.808, p<0.001), indicating good to excellent agreement. The overall average modified DISCERN score was 2±1.2, while it was only 1.3±0.52 for lay individuals’ content, which indicated poor content quality. For the normalized per number of followers for each source, content by lay individuals had a significantly higher number of likes, saves, and shares with p=0.009, 0.012, and 0.004, respectively. Vaccine misinformation was detected in 58.8% of the videos as follows: lay individuals (85.7%), TV/news websites/journalists (25.0%), and HCPs content had none (p<0.001). Normalized per the number of followers for each source, videos flagged as having MR vaccine misinformation reached a higher number of likes, saves, and shares (p=0.012, 0.016, and 0.003, respectively). In conclusion, substantial dissemination of TikTok MR vaccine-related misinformation in Jordan was detected. Rigorous fact-checking is warranted by the platform to address misinformation on TikTok, which is vital to improve trust in MR vaccination and ultimately protect public health.