The role of media content in health literacy in Turkey: A review of YouTube health videos Türkiye’de sağlık okuryazarlığında medya içeriklerinin rolü: YouTube sağlık videoları üzerine bir inceleme
Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi, cilt.83, sa.2, ss.149-162, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 83 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.5505/turkhijyen.2026.45914
- Dergi Adı: Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, CAB Abstracts, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.149-162
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Digital content production, Health communication, Health literacy, YouTube
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of cancer, nutrition, and hygiene-themed video content produced in the field of health in digital media on health literacy. By analyzing videos on these topics produced by health professionals and health institutions on YouTube, the role of media content on users within the context of health literacy was evaluated. The study also aimed to assess video content in terms of accessibility, comprehensibility, and interaction components, as well as to analyze user comments from a health communication perspective. Methods: Content analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was employed to reveal the role of media content in health literacy. The MAXQDA program was used to create a dataset, which was coded according to categories defined in the study. Frequency analysis of the coded data was conducted within the framework of these categories. The research was conducted in Turkey, and YouTube channels producing health-related video content were included. Among these, channels with the highest number of subscribers according to Boomsocial data were selected. Results: A total of 63 YouTube videos on cancer, nutrition, and hygiene were analyzed from channels with the highest subscriber numbers and engagement levels in Turkey. These videos received a total of 8,949 comments. The findings showed that 31.75 of the videos had an engagement range between 10,000 and 100,000 interactions, that video durations were mostly shorter than 5 minutes, and that video was the most frequently used data type. Health professionals' expertise was utilized in presenting the content, and the videos included action-oriented messages related to the topics. Analysis of the comments indicated that users were predominantly at the interactional level of health literacy. In addition, sentiment analysis revealed a generally positive tone, and the comments largely reflected a demand for information. Conclusion: Health-themed videos on YouTube were found to have significant potential in supporting the development and guidance of individuals' health literacy. Evaluation of user comments showed that health literacy was predominantly concentrated at the interactional level, with clear competencies in understanding and application at the functional level, while the critical level remained relatively weak. These findings suggest that users have developed an active health literacy practice in engaging with health-related content.