Evaluating the quality of social media content on metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: An experience from a lower middle-income country
Most SoMe content originated from non-healthcare sources. Healthcare professionals delivered the most accurate content. Facebook and YouTube showed relatively higher content quality scores, though comparisons are limited by the small number of posts from other platforms. Overall quality remained suboptimal across platforms, with 82% failing adequate standards. User engagement didn't correlate with quality. These findings highlight the need for improved quality control and health literacy initiatives for MASLD information on SoMe platforms.
Authors
- Dhanushi Abeynayake
- Madunil Anuk Niriella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7213-5858)
- Arjuna Priyadarshin De Silva
- Karthiha Balendran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9592-1256)
- Hiruni Jayasena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-0803)
- Krishanni Prabagar
- Indeewari Prathibha Wijesingha
- Anuratha Kajendran
- Vithiya Rishikesavan
- Piyal Rangana Herath
- Hithanadura Janaka de Silva
- Tiloka de Silva
Institutions
- University of Kelaniya (LK)
- Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (LK)
- University of Moratuwa (LK)
- General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (LK)
- University of Jaffna (LK)
- Jaffna Teaching Hospital (LK)
- National Institute of Polar Research (JP)
- National Institute of Health Sciences (LK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Published
- 2026-03-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343573
- Primary Topic
- Social Media in Health Education
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00