Assessment of YouTube videos about nail health and conditions in Turkish

Abstract

Background and Design: As YouTube becomes more popular as a source of health information, concerns about the reliability of its content are also increasing. While many studies have evaluated health-related content on YouTube, nail-related videos remain under-reviewed. This study aims to assess the engagement and quality of Turkish-language YouTube videos on nail health and disorders, focusing on their subject, content, creators, and sources of information. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on 500 Turkish YouTube videos, collected using relevant keywords. Video data, including upload dates, duration, views, likes, and comments, were retrieved via a Python script using the YouTube Data API. Videos were categorized by uploader and person providing information in the video, and content quality was assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS). Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. Results: The most common video topics were ingrown toenail (39.0%), onychomycosis (31.8%), and nail health and care (9.4%), with the latter receiving the highest engagement in terms of views, likes, and comments. Although healthcare providers were the primary sources of information in 67% of the videos, independent non-healthcare content creators and patients attracted the most interaction. Healthcare professionals, particularly dermatologists, provided higher quality information in the videos than non-healthcare creators, yet these videos received less engagement. Videos containing herbal therapies and alternative medicine garnered the most attention but also had the lowest Conclusion: Turkish-language YouTube content on nail health and disorders is primarily dominated by non-healthcare creators, who attract higher engagement despite lower content quality. A contrast exists between audience interactions and video quality. Patients seeking health information on YouTube should exercise caution to avoid being misinformed. Healthcare professionals should enhance their online presence by creating accurate and engaging content to ensure patients can access reliable information.