Research Article

Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa

Volume: 9 Number: 2 June 29, 2026
TR EN

Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa

Abstract

Aim: This research evaluates the accuracy of information provided in Instagram posts about placenta previa. Method: The two most frequently utilized hashtags about placenta previa have been identified and selected for further analysis. The selected hashtags are #placenta and #placentaprevia. The Instagram search algorithm returned 595,000 posts for the hashtag #placenta and 31,000 posts for the hashtag #placentaprevia. For each hashtag, the 'Top 100 Posts' were recorded (n = 100), and 139 out of 200 posts were found to meet the research criteria. Two independent medical professionals assessed the information's reliability through a modified DISCERN analysis that included five questions. Descriptive statistics were computed, and assessments were conducted utilizing the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test to assess the interactions of variables and identify statistically significant differences among groups (p < 0.05; statistical significance set at α = 0.05). Results: Of the posts, 20.1% (n = 28) were authored by physicians, 11.5% (n = 16) by patients, and 68.3% (n = 95) by other healthcare professionals. A comparison of the credibility of the information presented in the posts revealed a notable discrepancy between those shared by medical professionals and those from other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: While the posts of medical professionals are typically more reliable and useful than other content on the platform, it is important to note that Instagram posts often lack accuracy and reliability in the information provided for patients.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Ethical Statement

This study did not require ethical approval as it involved the analysis of publicly available social media content without human subjects or identifiable private information.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank no one in particular.

References

  1. Adler H, Lewis M, Ng CHM, Brooks C, Leonardi M, Mikocka-Walus A, et al. Social Media, Endometriosis, and Evidence-Based Information: An Analysis of Instagram Content. Healthcare (Basel). 2024;12(1):121.
  2. Afful-Dadzie E, Afful-Dadzie A, Egala SB. Social media in health communication: A literature review of information quality. Health Information Management. 2023;52(1):3-17.
  3. Ayranci F, Buyuk SK, Kahveci K, Sunar C. An analysis of Instagram posts about genioplasty. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet. 2021;25(3):275-282.
  4. Moorhead SA, Hazlett DE, Harrison L, Carroll JK, Irwin A, Hoving C. A new dimension of health care: systematic review of the uses, benefits, and limitations of social media for health communication. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2013;15(4):e85.
  5. Ellakany P, Aly NM, Hassan MG. #implantology: A content analysis of the implant-related hashtags on Instagram. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Epub ahead of print 2023 Nov 10.
  6. Goobie GC, Guler SA, Johannson KA, Fisher JH, Ryerson CJ. YouTube videos as a source of misinformation on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2019;16(5):572-579.
  7. Jung MJ, Seo MS. Assessment of reliability and information quality of YouTube videos about root canal treatment after 2016. BMC Oral Health. 2022;22(1):494.
  8. Sudarsan A, Mahashabde R, Singh P, Philip JN, Nerella R, Aranguri AAH. A cross-sectional Instagram survey to evaluate quality and reliability of information about cholecystitis and cholecystectomy. Journal of Primary Care Specialties. 2024;5(1):36-40.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 29, 2026

Submission Date

July 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Özata, B., & Şahin, B. (2026). Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa. Medical Research Reports, 9(2), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.55517/mrr.1753825
AMA
1.Özata B, Şahin B. Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa. MRR. 2026;9(2):131-138. doi:10.55517/mrr.1753825
Chicago
Özata, Burcu, and Büşra Şahin. 2026. “Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa”. Medical Research Reports 9 (2): 131-38. https://doi.org/10.55517/mrr.1753825.
EndNote
Özata B, Şahin B (June 1, 2026) Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa. Medical Research Reports 9 2 131–138.
IEEE
[1]B. Özata and B. Şahin, “Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa”, MRR, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 131–138, June 2026, doi: 10.55517/mrr.1753825.
ISNAD
Özata, Burcu - Şahin, Büşra. “Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa”. Medical Research Reports 9/2 (June 1, 2026): 131-138. https://doi.org/10.55517/mrr.1753825.
JAMA
1.Özata B, Şahin B. Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa. MRR. 2026;9:131–138.
MLA
Özata, Burcu, and Büşra Şahin. “Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa”. Medical Research Reports, vol. 9, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 131-8, doi:10.55517/mrr.1753825.
Vancouver
1.Burcu Özata, Büşra Şahin. Analysis of the Informational Quality of Instagram Posts Regarding Placenta Previa. MRR. 2026 Jun. 1;9(2):131-8. doi:10.55517/mrr.1753825