Exploring the Infodemiology Data on Diabetes: Analysis of Information Supply and Demand in Hebrew on the Internet -

Objectives

To estimate the amount of online information related to diabetes in Hebrew.
To determine the distribution of diabetes-related information by type of online media and social media.
To identify the major sources and web-destinations of the diabetes-related information supply.
To understand what topics of diabetes-related information are the most searched online.

Methodology

A systematic search was conducted on diabetes and diabetes-related conversations and web-messages in Hebrew over the Internet. Period for analysis was 1.1.2017 - 31.3.2018. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed on the type and origin of the information as well the initiator of the conversation/message.

Results

Systematic search resulted in 44,940 messages and conversations. About 85% of diabetes-related messages were found in social media and the rest (15%) in web-based newspapers and websites. Facebook (65%) was the main platform for diabetes-related conversations, followed by non-professional health-related forums (21%), forums managed by medical professionals (8%) and Twitter (6%).

The hospitals in Israel took part in diabetes-related web based discourse, with Sheba medical center leading with the largest amount of diabetes related information and messages. Most of the diabetes-related information published by the hospitals in Israel focused on advertising on their own websites, rather than on social media. For example, for Rambam Hospital, 80% of diabetes-related information was published on webpages and only 20% in social media. Additionally, we found that Clalit Health Services take the major part (67%) of diabetes-related online topics. As opposed to information published by hospitals, Clalit and Maccabi health services organisations preferred publishing diabetes-related topics mostly in social media.

The population of online information seekers on diabetes consisted of people with diabetes (79%), their relatives (8%) and people with pre-diabetes or at high-risk for diabetes (13%). The main topics that the information seekers discussed were nutrition (21%), diabetes complications (17%), consultation on blood sugar level testing (16%) and medications for diabetes treatment (14%).

Summary

Most of diabetes-related discourse over the Internet takes place on social networks. Despite this, the majority of professional medical authorities prefer to publish diabetes-related information on special websites. This leads to gaps between the information supply and demand and could affect decision-making whilst coping with diabetes. Further research is needed to explore the specific diabetes-related topics with such information gaps so that coping with diabetes will be led by professionals rather than unknown information providers.