Deniz Demir, Hülya Çerçi Akçay
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2025;8(6):1082-1088
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, scientific accuracy, and educational value of Y ouTube(TM) videos related to teething symptoms and remedies for parents. Given the widespread use of digital platforms for health information, the study focused on identifying content quality differences between professional and non-professional sources. Methods: A systematic search was performed on the Y ouTube(TM) platform (www.youtube.com) on July 25, 2025, using a computer in Turkiye. Both English ("teething symptoms, " "teething treatment") and Turkish ("diş çıkarma semptomları, " "diş çıkarma tedavileri") keywords were used. The first 100 videos retrieved for each search were screened, and duplicates, promotional content, and non-relevant materials were excluded. Eligible videos were assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), DISCERN instrument, JAMA benchmark criteria, and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). Metadata including video length, views, likes, dislikes, and uploader category was also collected. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman's correlation coefficients (p<0.05). Results: A total of 100 Y ouTube(TM) videos were analyzed. Mean scores were low across all instruments; GQS 2.6, DISCERN 11.7, JAMA 1.8, and VIQI 12.5. Videos from academic institutions achieved higher quality scores than non-professional sources. Likes showed significant positive correlations with GQS (p=0.315) and DISCERN (rho=0.360, p<0.01), while view counts were not associated with quality. Strong intercorrelations were observed among all quality tools (rho>0.45, p<0.01). Conclusion: Y ouTube(TM) provides a readily accessible platform for information on teething symptoms and remedies; however, the majority of videos lack scientific rigor, comprehensive explanations, and evidence-based recommendations. Content produced by healthcare professionals and academic institutions demonstrated superior quality, underscoring the need for their active involvement in creating reliable digital health resources.
