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. 2023 Jan;40(1):135-143.
doi: 10.1111/phn.13143. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

Filipinos' COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy comments in TikTok videos: A manifest content analysis

Daniel Joseph E Berdida  1   2 , Franchesca Mae C Franco  2 , Xyllyne Allyah G Santos  2 , Camille B Dacol  2 , Michaela Dimaano  2 , Erika S Del Rosario  2 , Charlotte Christianne Lantin  2
Affiliations

Filipinos' COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy comments in TikTok videos: A manifest content analysis

Daniel Joseph E Berdida et al. Public Health Nurs. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: Vaccine hesitancy is one of the top 10 threats to world health. The ongoing pandemic highlighted this health threat. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains underreported in the Philippines. Thus, this study aimed to describe and analyze the comments of Filipinos in TikTok videos about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Design: Manifest content analysis.

Sample: A total of 25 TikTok videos and their comments (n = 4564) were analyzed.

Methods: We collected data between July 2021 and October 2021. Bengtsson's approach to content analysis was utilized to analyze the data. Data were validated using member-checking and intercoder reliability.

Results: This study afforded three themes of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: (a) fear and mistrust (subthemes: influence of Dengvaxia vaccine, the influence of people who refuse to be vaccinated, lack of trust in the government, lack of trust in healthcare workers, doubts on vaccines' effectiveness), (b) misinformation and disinformation (subthemes: misbeliefs, insufficient knowledge), and (c) adamant attitudes (subthemes: unwillingness to be vaccinated, picky on vaccine brand).

Conclusion: Our study established Filipinos' diverse reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. TikTok, as a social media platform, is used for COVID-19 vaccine discussions and the dissemination of misinformation. To prepare for the next pandemic or public health disaster, the government, HCWs, and the public must efficiently convey timely, accurate health information and dispel misinformation on social media platforms.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; TikTok; content analysis; infodemic; social media; vaccine hesitancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowchart of TikTok videos collection process [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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