Right or wrong: Characteristics of Ebola information in knowledge exchange social websites

background:
Media coverage of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa stoked public fears in the United States despite only 4 cases reaching US soil and the relatively low risk of further contagion. Because of the novelty of Ebola in the United States, misperceptions about the disease may exist. However, little research has examined the quantity, types, and veracity of Ebola information available to the public, particularly online. Knowledge exchange social websites (KESWs), where users anonymously post and answer questions, are of particular concern as sources of health information. Because submitted answers are not verified and responders’ qualifications may be falsified, the potential for misinformation on KESWs warrants rigorous evaluation.

method:  
A KESW was selected based on its popularity, prevalence of Ebola questions, and ability to retrieve questions by country.  Five hundred answers to recent Ebola questions from the U.S. that were marked as resolved (i.e. a Best Answer was selected) were retrieved from the KESW and evaluated for accuracy. Answer characteristics, such as inclusion of citations, were recorded as potential predictors of accuracy.

results:  
Questions are categorized by theme (ex: transmission, treatment, symptoms). Overall accuracy and accuracy by theme are presented. Logistic regression modeling will be run to detect predictors of accuracy.

implications:
By quantifying the types and extent of misinformation on KESWs following an infectious disease outbreak, this study explores the role of the Internet as a contributor to the public’s health knowledge. This information serves as a foundation for future public health interventions and policy decisions.