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. 2020 Aug 7;103(12):2594-2597.
doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.001. Online ahead of print.

Quality of online information for the general public on COVID-19

Ravindri Jayasinghe  1 , Sonali Ranasinghe  2 , Umesh Jayarajah  3 , Sanjeewa Seneviratne  4
Affiliations

Quality of online information for the general public on COVID-19

Ravindri Jayasinghe et al. Patient Educ Couns. .

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the quality of information included in websites aimed at the public on COVID-19.

Methods: Yahoo!, Google and Bing search engines were browsed using selected keywords on COVID-19. The first 100 websites from each search engine for each keyword were evaluated. Validated tools were used to assess readability [Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES)], usability and reliability (LIDA tool) and quality (DISCERN instrument). Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Eighty-four eligible sites were analysed. The median FRES score was 54.2 (range: 23.2-73.5). The median LIDA usability and reliability scores were 46 (range: 18-54) and 37(range:14-51), respectively. A low (<50 %) overall LIDA score was recorded for 30.9 % (n = 26) of the websites. The median DISCERN score was 49.5 (range: 21-77). The DISCERN score of ≤50 % was found in 45 (53.6 %) websites. The DISCERN score was significantly associated with LIDA usability and reliability scores (p < 0.001) and the FRES score (p = 0.024).

Conclusion: The majority of websites on COVID-19 for the public had moderate to low scores with regards to readability, usability, reliability and quality.

Practice implications: Prompt strategies should be implemented to standardize online health information on COVID-19 during this pandemic to ensure the general public has access to good quality reliable information.

Keywords: 2019-novel coronavirus; COVID-19; Education websites; General public; Internet; Quality; Quality of information; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Website characteristics evaluated outside the DISCERN tool.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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