Content analysis of leading health organizations' social media pages on cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Background: Social media has become a significant platform for sharing medical knowledge and promoting public health awareness. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, accounting for nearly one-third of global deaths. Analyzing the content of health organizations' social media platforms, such as Instagram pages related to cardiovascular diseases, offers valuable insights into their role in public health promotion and nursing practiceObjectives: This study aimed to analyze the content of leading health organizations' Instagram pages focused on cardiovascular diseases.Methods: A content analysis was conducted on the Instagram pages of two leading health organizations, the American Heart Association and the British Heart Foundation. All posts related to cardiovascular diseases from January to June 2022 were systematically analyzed. Data collection and analysis were performed concurrently, following the Graneheim and Lundman method for qualitative content analysis. To ensure the trustworthiness of the data, Guba and Lincoln's (1994) four criteria were applied.Results: A total of 278 posts from the two selected pages were meticulously analyzed, leading to the identification of three primary categories: “Cultural Influence on Cardiovascular Health," “Guiding the Health Journey," and “Empowerment Amidst Cardiovascular Disease." These categories were further subdivided into six subcategories: increasing social sensitivity, enhancing social responsibility, promoting lifestyle modifications, improving psychological skills, managing diseases, and sharing peer experiences.Conclusions: In today's digital landscape, awareness of credible health information on social media is essential for nurses to provide optimal care, remain informed, and engage effectively with patients and communities. Given the rising utilization of these platforms, regular content analyses are recommended due to their substantial influence on public health.