Quality controlled YouTube content intervention for enhancing health literacy and health behavioural intention: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background Individuals increasingly turn to the Internet for health information, with YouTube being a prominent source. However, the quality and reliability of the health information vary widely, potentially affecting health literacy and behavioural intentions. Methods To analyse the impact of health information quality on health literacy and behavioural intention, we conducted a randomized controlled trial using a quality-controlled YouTube intervention. Health information quality on YouTube was evaluated using the Global Quality Score and DISCERN. We randomly allocated (1 : 1) to the intervention group to watch the highest quality-evaluated content and to the control group to watch the lowest quality-evaluated content. Health literacy and health behavioural intention were assessed before and after watching YouTube. The trial was set for two different topics: interpreting laboratory test results from health check-up and information about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Results From 8 April 2022 to 15 April 2022, 505 participants were randomly assigned to watch either high-quality content (intervention group, n = 255) or low-quality content (control group, n = 250). Health literacy significantly improved in the intervention group (28.1 before and 31.8 after; p < 0.01 for health check-up; 28.3 before and 31.3 after; p < 0.01 for IBD). Health behavioural intention significantly improved in the intervention group (3.5 before and 4.1 after; p < 0.01 for health check-up; 3.6 before and 4.0 after; p < 0.01 for IBD). Control groups had no such effect. Conclusion High-quality health information can enhance health literacy and behavioural intention in both healthy individuals and those with specific conditions like IBD. It stresses the significance of ensuring reliable health information online and calls for future efforts to curate and provide access to high-quality health content.