Major ArticleDissemination of health information through social networks: Twitter and antibiotics
Section snippets
Design
We conducted a cross-sectional survey using content analysis of Twitter status updates between March 13, 2009, and July 31, 2009.
Study setting
The observational study applied content analysis to publicly available Twitter Web pages using the Web site www.Twitter.com. Twitter updates may be public, meaning content is viewable to any Web site visitor, or protected, meaning updates are not available on a public search and can only be viewed by approved users. Individuals can optionally identify their location,
Results
Of the 1000 status updates, 29 were removed because they treated the word “antibiotic(s)” as a metaphor. For an overview of the resulting categorization, see Table 3: Antibiotic-related categories, definitions, examples, and frequencies from Twitter status updates.
The most common category was “general use,” including a range of updates about taking antibiotics, often simply mentioning the number of days remaining on a prescription and a desire that the antibiotics begin helping soon. The second
Discussion
Launched publicly in July 2006, Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to post frequent updates. An update is limited to 140 characters and can be posted through 3 methods: Web form, instant message online, or text message via mobile phone.10 Twitter users follow one another's updates and can search all updates for keywords of interest. Twitter has been used to disseminate information and news, solicit feedback, communicate with companies, share ideas,
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Supported by Columbia University, The Center for Interdisciplinary Research to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance, grant No. T90 NR010824: Training in Interdisciplinary Research to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (TIRAR).
Conflicts of interest: None to report.