HPV Vaccine-Related Articles Shared on Facebook From 2019 to 2021: Did COVID Make a Difference?

Authors

L Aubree Shay
Ashley McKenzie
Elaine Avshman
Lara S Savas
Ross Shegog

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Journal

PEC Innovation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: HPV vaccination is recommended for children beginning at age 9 to prevent several types of cancer. Many parents turn to Facebook for health information. This study describes changes in HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: HPV-related articles shared on Facebook (2019-2021) were collected using Buzzsumo, a social media analytics tool and analyzed using content analysis. Articles were categorized by valence, misinformation, evidence types, persuasive tactics, and framing. We quantified these data and tested for difference by article year.

RESULTS: Of the 138 included articles, 51% had positive valence towards the vaccine and 36% had negative valence. In 2021, there was a significant increase in positive messaging (72% vs. 44% in 2019/2020;

CONCLUSION: Despite decreased engagement in 2021, more positive HPV vaccine messaging was observed, although a quarter of articles still contained misinformation. Our results can inform strategies for communicating with parents about the HPV vaccine.

INNOVATION: Our study is the first to analyze HPV-related articles linked on Facebook and to assess for differences during the pandemic.

Keywords

Human papilloma virus, Vaccination, Facebook, Misinformation, COVID

DOI

10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100301

PMID

38962500

PMCID

PMC11219959

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

6-4-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes