YOUTUBE AS A SOURCE OF HEALTH INFORMATION: QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF SARCOPENIA-RELATED VIDEOS

Introduction. YouTube is a prominent platform for obtaining health-related information, providing expert guidance and user-generated content. This research assessed the features and quality of YouTube videos concerning sarcopenia. Methods. On September 9, 2024, YouTube videos were viewed in incognito mode using the keywords «sarcopenia» and «loss of muscle strength.» A total of 100 videos were evaluated, with 37 satisfying the inclusion criteria following exclusions. The video quality was evaluated utilizing the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the modified DISCERN instrument. Data regarding views, likes, comments, video duration, and sources were analyzed. Statistical analyses encompassed the Kruskal-Wallis test for group comparisons and Cohen’s kappa coefficient for inter-rater reliability. Results. Of the 37 videos examined, 48.6% (n = 18) were categorized as high-quality, 32.5% (n = 12) as intermediatequality, and 18.9% (n = 7) as low-quality. Videos of high quality were predominantly obtained from physicians (75%, n = 6), non-profit organizations (71.4%, n = 5), and government agencies (66.7%, n = 2). Low-quality videos predominantly originated from independent users (100%, n = 2) and health-related websites (36.4%, n = 4). Engagement indicators, comprising daily views, likes, and comments, showed no significant differences among quality groups, underscoring a disconnect between popularity and quality. Conclusion. YouTube is a helpful platform for distributing information on sarcopenia, provided the content is derived from reputable sources. The abundance of substandard videos highlights the danger of disinformation. Enhancing content control, promoting authoritative videos, and improving health literacy among viewers is crucial for optimizing YouTube’s capacity as a dependable health information resource.