Abstract

Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease caused by the exotoxin of Clostridium tetani, characterized by acute muscle stiffness and convulsive spasms. Despite being entirely preventable through vaccination, it remains a significant public health issue, particularly in regions with low vaccination rates and inadequate health education. The rise of digital platforms, including Instagram, provides new opportunities for disseminating health-related information, yet concerns about content accuracy and reliability persist. This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of tetanus-related videos on Instagram. A cross-sectional analytical design was employed to analyze tetanus-related videos on Instagram. Using a newly created account to avoid algorithmic biases, the keyword "tetanus" was searched, and the top 100 videos were identified. After excluding irrelevant, repetitive, and videos shorter than 30 seconds, 39 videos were included in the study. These videos were categorized by source (e.g., healthcare professionals, private institutions) and assessed for content accuracy based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines across five domains: causative agent and transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Viewer engagement metrics, including views, likes, and comments, were recorded. Out of 39 analyzed videos, 59% were created by healthcare professionals, while the rest originated from private institutions and unidentified sources. Content quality was found to vary significantly, with many videos providing incomplete information. Engagement metrics, such as view and like counts, showed no significant correlation with video quality. Additionally, videos by healthcare professionals did not significantly differ in quality compared to those from other sources. Instagram offers significant potential for health communication; however, the platform also poses risks of misinformation due to the lack of quality control mechanisms. Strategies to enhance the accuracy and reliability of health-related content are urgently needed. This study highlights the importance of collaboration among health professionals, policymakers, and content creators to maximize Instagram’s role as an effective health tool.

Key words: Tetanus, Instagram, digital communication, vaccination