Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have revealed important patterns in pathology images imperceptible to human observers that can improve diagnostic accuracy and decision support systems. However, progress has been limited due to the lack of publicly available medical images. To address this scarcity, we explore Instagram as a novel source of pathology images with expert annotations. We curated the IPATH dataset from Instagram, comprising 45,609 pathology image-text pairs rigorously filtered and curated for domain quality using classifiers, large language models, and manual filtering. To demonstrate the value of this dataset, we developed a multimodal AI model called IP-CLIP by fine-tuning a pretrained CLIP model using the IPATH dataset. We evaluated IP-CLIP on seven external histopathology datasets using zero shot classification and linear probing, where it consistently outperformed the original CLIP model. Furthermore, IP-CLIP matched or exceeded several recent state-of-the-art pathology vision-language models, despite being trained on a substantially smaller dataset. We also assessed image-text alignment on a 5k held-out IPATH subset using image-text retrieval, where IP-CLIP surpassed CLIP and other specialized models. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the IPATH dataset and highlight the potential of leveraging social media data to develop AI models for medical image classification and enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Instagram ranks among the most used social media platforms worldwide. An increasing number of posts are dedicated to specific medical topics, such as sleep medicine. The educational content of these posts is largely unknown. Therefore, a structured content analysis of posts linked to the hashtag "obstructivesleepapnea" was conducted, as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. The hashtag "obstructivesleepapnea" was entered into Instagram's search field. The first linked post was selected and then subdivided into visual content and text content for systematic analysis with a focus on educational information on OSA. Demographic factors of the post such as likes, hashtags and the posting account were also included in the analysis. The data collection was completed for N = 150 consecutive posts. 37.3% of the visual content and 32.7% of the text content addressed educational information on OSA. In both subgroups, the most frequently discussed aspects were OSA symptoms, comorbidities, and therapy (visual content: 50.0%, 39.3, and 41.1%, respectively; text content: 42.9%, 44.9%, and 24.9%, respectively). The most common (professional) background of the account, as self-stated by the holder, was dentists (29.5%). Additional sleep medicine content was posted by 34.3% of all accounts. Instagram offers informative content about OSA and is therefore a potential source for patient education. However, the content available is often poorly organized and in most cases incomplete. Patients may have difficulty categorizing the information provided to benefit from it.
Social networking sites are becoming a great place to find information about a variety of topics, including healthcare. Instagram is a visual communication tool that promotes social engagement and content exchange among users, distinguishing it as a unique platform for engagement. Reputable healthcare professionals like pharmacists are becoming more conscious of Instagram's ability to enhance their procedures and foster client relationships. To investigate how social media, particularly Instagram, impacts pharmacists and the healthcare community and to evaluate the Instagram's influence on consumer awareness and behavior. A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study employing an internet-based self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 351 participants. The study model has five dimensions: content impact, communication and interaction, consumer awareness, consumer behavior, and trust and credibility. Variable statistical tests were conducted including the reliability test by the means of Cronbach's alpha (α), mean value and standard deviation and one-sample statistics, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed a strong correlation between customer experience, behavior, communication, Instagram content, and perceptions of confidence and trust. The findings demonstrate how Instagram affects pharmacist purchase decisions and raises awareness of medications. Furthermore, positive interactions and communication on Instagram influence pharmacists' attitudes and behaviors. The present study underscores the significance of high-quality, precise, and captivating Instagram content in fostering a sense of trust and confidence among pharmacists. These results offer guidance to doctors and pharmaceutical firms on how to utilize Instagram to interact with pharmacists, enhance clinical communication, and improve patient outcomes.
The article presents a meticulous review of the multifaceted influence on the mental well-being of adolescents. This article focuses on how Instagram affects the mental health of teenagers. The researchers looked at databases like PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar for studies on "Instagram," "adolescents," "mental health," "well-being," "effect," and "impact" from the year 2016-2023. They found 132 articles and chose 37 to study in depth. This study explores how Instagram affects teenagers' mental health positively and negatively. On the positive side, Instagram can be a platform for creativity and connection. However, excessive use can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and low self-esteem. It also sheds light on the hidden danger of cyberbullying, which is rampant on Instagram and can severely impact adolescent mental well-being. While acknowledging these risks, the article recognizes that Instagram plays a role in adolescent socialization and offers opportunities for interventions, such as vaping awareness campaigns. The report wraps up by offering suggestions for handling teen mental health in the age of Instagram. Ideas include encouraging people to use Instagram responsibly, advising parents and instructors, and outlining areas for more research. The paper highlights the need for mindful technology use on Instagram because of its possible effects on teen mental health.
Stillbirth, the loss of a fetus after the 20th week of pregnancy, affects about 1 in 160 deliveries in the United States and nearly 1 in 70 globally. It profoundly affects parents, often resulting in grief, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, exacerbated by societal stigma and a lack of public awareness. However, no comprehensive analysis has explored social media discussions of stillbirth. This study aimed to analyze stillbirth-related content on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) by (1) identifying dominant themes using topic modeling, evaluated using latent Dirichlet allocation, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), and BERTopic; (2) detecting influential hashtags via co-occurrence network analysis; (3) examining sentiments and emotions using transformer-based models; (4) categorizing visual representations of stillbirth on Instagram (Meta) through manual image analysis with a predefined codebook; and (5) screening for misinformation relating to stillbirth on X. Stillbirth-related posts were collected via RapidAPI (N=27,395), with Instagram posts (#stillbirth: n=7415; #stillbirthawareness: n=8312; 2023-2024) and X posts (#stillbirth: n=11,668; 2020-2024) analyzed using Python 3.12.7 (Python Software Foundation), with NetworkX for hashtag co-occurrence networks and the PageRank algorithm; comparative analyses were restricted to 2023-2024 due to Instagram application programming interface constraints. Topic modeling was evaluated using latent Dirichlet allocation, NMF, and BERTopic, with coherence scores guiding our model selection. Sentiment and emotion were analyzed using transformer-based RoBERTa and DistilRoBERTa. Misinformation screening was applied to X posts. On Instagram, 2 representative image samples (n=366) were manually categorized using a predefined codebook, with the interrater reliability being assessed using Cohen Kappa. Health-related hashtags (eg, #COVID19) appeared more frequently on X. Topic modeling showed that NMF achieved the highest coherence scores (#stillbirthawareness=0.624 and #stillbirth=0.846 on Instagram, #stillbirth=0.816 on X). Medical misinformation appeared in 27.8% (149/536) of tweets linking COVID-19 vaccines to stillbirth. In the image analysis, "Image of text" was most common, followed by remembrance visuals (eg, gravesites and stillborn infants). The interrater reliability was strong, κ=0.837 (95% CI 0.773-0.891) and κ=0.821 (95% CI 0.755-0.879), with high Pearson correlation (r=0.999; P<.001) and no significant difference (χ²7=12.4; P=.09). The sentiment analysis found that positive sentiments exceeded negative sentiments. The emotion analysis showed that fear and sadness were dominant, with fear being more prevalent on X. Instagram emphasizes emotional expression while X focuses on public health and informational content. Evidence-based communication is necessary to counter misinformation, especially on X, whose real-time affordances amplify fear-based narratives during crises, such as COVID-19. In addition, Instagram's visual and commemorative content offers an opportunity to legitimize parental grief and to validate and humanize loss by directly involving bereaved parents in awareness campaigns. Platform-specific strategies and stronger moderation could enhance health discourse credibility. Future research should examine targeted approaches to counter misinformation and assist affected populations.
Background Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the bone can progress to subchondral collapse, often requiring surgical intervention. Given the debilitating nature of this condition, patients may seek information and support through social media. AVN-related content on social media platforms remains uncharacterized in the literature. This study aimed to analyze the type and reach of AVN-related content across social media platforms. Methods The search terms "avascular necrosis" and "osteonecrosis" were used to identify social media content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok between October 31, 2024, and November 4, 2024. Posts with the highest engagement were reviewed, and descriptive statistics were recorded. Results Across all four platforms, engagement metrics for "avascular necrosis" were consistently higher than for "osteonecrosis." The following findings were noted for the search term "avascular necrosis." On Facebook, five groups with a combined membership of 30,805 shared 492 posts monthly. Three groups provided patient support, while the remaining two focused on a patient story and treatment advice; only one group had a physician moderator. Instagram's top five hashtags had over 24,000 posts. On YouTube, the five most-viewed videos - with 1.78 million combined views - addressed topics such as patient experiences, surgical techniques, and education. TikTok had 135 videos for "avascular necrosis," with the most popular video receiving 5.6 million views and 163,200 likes. The top five TikTok hashtags had a total of 2,218 posts. Conclusion AVN-related content is widely available on social media platforms, offering patients access to support networks and informational resources. However, concerns regarding the reliability and accuracy of educational content persist. Physicians treating AVN patients should familiarize themselves with this digital landscape to address patient misconceptions and share credible sources. Future educational initiatives could involve creating physician-led social media content to enhance the accessibility and quality of AVN-related resources.
Depression is a leading cause of disability among youth, with stigma significantly hindering mental health service utilization. Social media platforms offer a promising means to reach large, diverse youth populations, providing an opportunity to deliver interventions where young people are highly active. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a proven social contact-based video intervention via Instagram. We hypothesized that the intervention would be feasible and acceptable, generating higher link clicks and lower cost-per-click compared with control videos. A 2-week Instagram campaign in February 2024 targeted US adolescents ages 14 to 22. The campaign featured a 60-second human-narrated personal story video, previously tested and shown to reduce depression stigma. The intervention's effectiveness was assessed using key metrics: impressions (the number of times the video was displayed), reach (the number of distinct viewers), link clicks (engagement with mental health resources), and cost-per-click (cost-effectiveness). These metrics were compared with 4 control videos that varied in narration style and content. The campaign generated 808,000 impressions, reached 287,100 viewers, and resulted in 4,148 link clicks. The intervention video achieved 874 link clicks with a cost-per-click of $0.92, outperforming 3 of the 4 control videos. This study demonstrates that Instagram is a feasible and acceptable platform for disseminating evidence-based mental health interventions aimed at reducing depression stigma among youth. The findings support the potential for broader use of social media in public mental health strategies, though further research is needed to monitor subsequent help-seeking behaviors and assess impact across diverse groups. • Social media platforms like Instagram that have brief and visually engaging content may engage youth with mental health interventions.• Incorporating social contact-based interventions, such as personal stories, may effectively reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviors.• Pretesting mental health interventions in controlled settings could ensure content is both effective and safe before widespread dissemination.• Target interventions toward age-appropriate audiences with culturally sensitive narratives to enhance relatability and engagement. We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of using Instagram to deliver a brief social media-based video intervention to reduce depression stigma among US youth aged 14 to 22. A two-week campaign featured a 60-second human-narrated personal story video and generated over 808,000 impressions and 4,148 link clicks, with the intervention video outperforming most control videos in cost-effectiveness. These findings highlight Instagram's potential as a scalable platform for delivering evidence-based mental health interventions that engage youth and may promote help-seeking behaviors.
Counterfeit accounts still pose a big problem for Instagram users. Trust is being eroded, and online security is being compromised as a result of these accounts' constant contribution to Instagram's spam, harmful information, and deceptive content problems. To find these profiles, we use a number of analytical parameters. Using machine learning is one of the main reasons for developing a model to effectively combat these false accounts. We investigate and provide a solution to the issue of Instagram's ability to identify phony accounts in this research. An F1 score of 98%, a recall of 98%, a precision of 98.3%, and an accuracy of 98.24% are all achieved by the new, perfectly accurate model that is used in the proposed research. Our method combines scale_pos_weight optimization technique with XGBoost, SMOTE with balanced classes, and GridSearchCV to fine-tune key hyperparameters of Random Forest for fine-tuning purposes, therefore achieving this goal. This paper provides state-of-the-art methods for reducing the prevalence of false accounts, which will improve the efficiency and trustworthiness of identity verification systems used online. In this study, we provide an improved hybrid system with optimization that finds trends in phony accounts over time using adaptive discovery and strong analysis and class-balancing methods. In addition to improving online identity verification systems' detection capabilities, this framework establishes a new standard for trust safeguarding via user trust and lays the groundwork for future breakthroughs in social media security.
Religious freedom and plurality remain major challenges in Indonesia, with both authorities and social media influencers involved. One potential solution is integrating moderation into religious activities, especially through platforms like Instagram. Radicalism in Indonesia, particularly among youth, is fueled by extremist narratives, events like the 2018 Surabaya bombings, and the return of ISIS recruits. This highlights the need for research into religious moderation and extremism prevention. The Surabaya bombings, which targeted civilians, and the return of around 1,000 Indonesians who joined ISIS have escalated the threat of radicalization. Surveys show that about 7.7 % of Indonesians, or 600,000 people, are open to radical activities, making it urgent to address radicalism with religious moderation as a counter-narrative. This study focuses on religious moderation in Qur'anic interpretation and explores the role of social media in promoting moderation. Instagram's effectiveness in encouraging religious moderation is analyzed using a descriptive-qualitative approach, investigating various sources and publications. Instagram promotes a more inclusive and harmonious society by fostering tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect. The study highlights how Instagram's religious moderation initiatives provide balanced perspectives across different beliefs, helping to spread understanding and combat extremism. With its broad reach, especially in Indonesia, Instagram is an effective tool for promoting messages of moderation and supporting diversity and peace.
Fitspiration content promotes active, healthy lifestyles by advocating for healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care. While Instagram's impact on body image has been widely studied, limited research has explored TikTok fitspiration. This study examined how TikTok usage influences fit ideal internalisation, state self-esteem and perceptions of physical appearance, as well as gender differences in responses to fitspiration content on body satisfaction. A total of 274 participants (61.7% females; aged 18-62, M = 21.8, SD = 7.64) completed an online questionnaire assessing TikTok usage, fit internalisation and appearance-related perceptions. Participants then viewed three fitspiration videos, and their levels of body satisfaction and state self-esteem were measured before and after exposure. Paired-samples t-tests revealed a significant decrease in body satisfaction post-exposure (p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.47), while state self-esteem remained unchanged (p = 0.354, Cohen's d = 0.023). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that females' state self-esteem and body satisfaction were significantly lower than males due to TikTok fitspiration content (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses revealed that among usage variables (e.g., frequency of use, posting habits, follower count), only the number of followees (β = 0.871, p = 0.020) and received "likes" (β = 1.449, p < 0.001) positively predicted fit internalisation, with no significant effect on appearance. These findings highlighted the importance of educational interventions to counter the influence of TikTok fitspiration content. A potential implication of this study is the promotion of a shift from aesthetic ideals to physical capabilities.
The social media conglomerate, Meta, has a policy prohibiting promotion of tobacco products, vaporisers, electronic cigarettes or other products that simulate smoking via their branded content tools. This study examines if branded Instagram posts comply with these self-regulatory efforts. We analysed the presence and content of tobacco/nicotine promotion, as well as counter-marketing, in a sample of 400 branded/paid partnership-labelled Instagram posts with tobacco/nicotine-related terms made between 31 July 2022 and 31 March 2023, gathered from Meta's CrowdTangle tool and classified by CrowdTangle as being in English. Of the 217 active branded posts that mentioned or depicted tobacco/nicotine products, most promoted rather than countered the sale of such products (84.3% vs 15.7%, respectively). Posts originating from US Instagram users accounted for 42.6% of promotional content. After the USA, posts from Indonesia (19.1%), Pakistan (9.8%) and India (8.2%) were most frequent. Most posts were fully in English (74.9%). Posts featured hookah (39.4%), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) accessories (17.5%), ENDS devices and e-liquids (16.9%) and various types of cigars (15.3%). The majority of US posts promoted venues or events where tobacco/nicotine products were featured (71.8%). Almost half of all promotional posts (47.0%) were sponsored by tobacco industry accounts. Posts that encouraged cessation were primarily (47.1%) sponsored by non-government organisations. Despite attempts at self-regulation, paid partnership posts promoting tobacco and nicotine products are present on Instagram, especially posts promoting venues and events that feature tobacco and nicotine use. Self-regulation of this content shows limited success, suggesting a need for federal oversight and additional counter-marketing in social media settings.
This study evaluates Instagram's efficacy as an educational tool in veterinary sciences, focusing on dairy cow nutrition and management. Using the Instagram account "Stalla Didattica Unibo," established in December 2020, a survey was conducted with 102 respondents, primarily consisting of university students (44.12%). The respondents were divided into 2 major groups: students and the general population, with the latter comprising professionals and others not currently in educational programs. In the overall population, the age group of 25 to 34 yr accounted for 51%, but among students, it was 73.3%. In terms of gender distribution, there was a female majority in the general population (59.8%) and a male majority among students (73.3%). Most responders were from Italy, with Emilia-Romagna contributing significantly. Engagement was measured not only by the length of time participants followed the account but also by active interactions such as likes, comments, and shares. Among the total population, 47.1% had followed the page for over a year, compared with 37.8% of students. Importantly, engagement metrics showed active participation, with a majority reporting improved knowledge (75.6% of the total population and 74.5% of students) and practical application of content (64.4% of the total population and 67.6% of students). Content preferences varied, with the general population favoring quizzes (33.3%) and stories (17.8%), whereas students showed a stronger preference for standard posts (36.3%). Impact was defined as the perceived influence of the Instagram content on the respondents' learning and professional practices, with 46.7% of the total population and 52.9% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing that the page had a positive impact on their knowledge and practical skills. Furthermore, 84.3% of students and 77.8% of the total population stated they would recommend the page to others, underscoring the account's effectiveness as a digital educational tool. The study highlights Instagram's potential to enhance veterinary education and suggests further research to explore the broader application of these strategies across different educational contexts and platforms.
Instagram's popularity has raised concern about its problematic use. However, no validated scales assessing Instagram addiction exist in the Indian context. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the 15-item Instagram Addiction Scale (IAS-15) among Indian adults. In total, 301 participants (Mage = 22.89 years) were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the two components of the IAS-15, social effect and compulsion, had suitable factor loadings: CMIN/DF (chi-square/degree of freedom) = 2.531, GFI (goodness of fit index) = 0.903, IFI (incremental fit index) = 0.965, TLI (Tucker-Lewis index) = 0.958, CFI (comparative fit index) = 0.965, and RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) = 0.071. This was further improved by drawing covariances between theoretically linked items (CMIN/DF = 2.273, GFI = 0.916, IFI = 0.972, TLI = 0.965, CFI = 0.971, and RMSEA = 0.065). Strong convergent validity with a significant and positive correlation with social media addiction (r = 0.899), and strong concurrent validity with depression (r = 0.778), anxiety (r = 0.777), stress (r = 0.815), and negative correlations with self-esteem (r = -0.635) were observed. The IAS-15 demonstrated excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha (α) and McDonald's omega (ω) coefficients of reliability for the overall scale (α = 0.962 and ω = 0.963) and its two subscales, social effect (α = 0.941 and ω = 0.942) and compulsion (α = 0.922 and ω = 0.922). Findings confirm that the IAS-15 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing Instagram addiction among Indian adults.
This cross-sectional content analysis found that Instagram's hashtag-based reels display consistent dermatologic content regardless of user engagement history, supporting the use of hashtags as an objective and reproducible tool for social media research in dermatology.
Instagram stories (Meta, Menlo Park, CA) are posted at higher volumes and incite increased engagement for accounts. This is because of Instagram's algorithm, which typically only shows static posts to 10% of an account's followers. Given the importance of social media in cosmetic surgery practices, a detailed analysis of trends is useful in guiding plastic surgeon marketing regimes. The aim of the authors of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of Instagram story content posted by top 100 most-followed plastic surgeons in the world. One hundred plastic surgery Instagram accounts in the world were identified by their total number of followers and using the keywords "plastic," "cosmetic," "aesthetic," and "surgeon." Accounts of each surgeon were monitored daily over 1 week, with story content categorically logged. Broad categories included personal, educational, surgical, and engagement, which were further divided into subcategories. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used to assess demographics and trends. The average number of followers by the top accounts was 437,917 ± 36,216. The majority of accounts were located in North America (64%). The average number of stories posted each week was 28.2 ± 3.7, with the highest number posted on Friday (5.01) and the lowest on Saturday (2.67). The most common content of stories posted was related to surgical procedures (57.6%), contributing 1577 total stories. In this descriptive study, the authors provide insight into the nature of Instagram story content posted by top-followed plastic surgeons in the world, providing guidance to new and existing plastic surgeons in their social media practices. Level of Evidence: 5 (Therapeutic).
Instagram is a key source of health information, particularly for promoting clear aligners therapy but raising concerns about misinformation. Despite over 400 million Arabic speakers across 22 countries, their representation in health information quality research is limited. Thus, this prospective cross-sectional study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyses Arabic Instagram posts about clear aligner therapy. On 21 April 2025, Arabic posts were collected using 14 popular hashtags following a stratified random sampling approach, with the top 20 posts per hashtag included. Posts were classified by format, poster role, content type, thematic focus and type. Claim accuracy was assessed using established misinformation frameworks and orthodontic guidelines. Inter-rater reliability was ensured with a multi-coder protocol. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests with Bonferroni corrections (α = 0.05). Of 1,058,700 initial posts, 264 were included. Most were promotional (63%), photo-based (75%) and originated from Saudi Arabia (56%). Video and sharing experience posts had higher likes and engagement than photo and marketing posts (p < 0.05). Clinical and educational posts contained more balanced facts (p < 0.001), while 36% of claims were non-factual, particularly in promotional, marketing and practice advertisement posts (p < 0.001, p < 0.05 and p = 0.011, respectively). Arabic Instagram content on clear aligners is mainly promotional with substantial misinformation. Educational posts, though more accurate, are less common. Given Instagram's impact on treatment decisions, improving the quality of Arabic orthodontic content is crucial for informed consent and public awareness.
In the contemporary digital landscape, social media platforms have radically reshaped consumer-brand interactions, with Instagram emerging as a pivotal channel for luxury brand marketing. This study investigates the adoption of luxury products through Instagram by integrating psychological, social, and demographic predictors with advanced analytical methodologies. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of 205 respondents, we examine how Instagram engagement metrics-such as time spent on the platform, influencer marketing, sponsored advertisements, and interactive content-impact consumer adoption behaviours. Employing multiple statistical techniques including multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and path analysis, alongside machine learning models like Support Vector Machines (SVM) and decision trees, we identify the primary drivers of purchase intention and brand trustworthiness in the luxury context. Notably, while surface-level engagement metrics show limited predictive power, factors such as brand trust, prestige, uniqueness, and personalized recommendations have strong influences on consumer purchase intention. The SVM model accurately predicts adoption likelihood with 87% accuracy, underscoring the efficacy of psychological and social variables as discriminators. Additionally, sentiment analysis of qualitative feedback reveals predominantly positive consumer attitudes toward Instagram marketing strategies. Our findings highlight the nuanced role of brand-related psychological constructs and demographic variables in shaping luxury product adoption, offering actionable insights for marketers aiming to optimize Instagram's potential in luxury branding. This integrative approach advances both theoretical understanding and practical applications, reinforcing the importance of authenticity, emotional connection, and targeted psychographic segmentation in luxury digital marketing.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major worldwide concern with severe implications for public health, contributing to almost 5 million deaths in 2019. One of the main causes of AMR is overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which can be addressed by increasing awareness and educating the public on this issue. Studies have demonstrated the potential of social media to educate the public and influence behaviour. Instagram's unique features, such as its visual nature and user-friendly interface, make it well-suited for exploring health behaviours and disseminating information on various health topics. Research shows 65.4% of young adults (18-36 years old) use Instagram as their main source of information. This study examined AMR posts from Instagram from January 1, 2017 to July 15, 2023. In total, 4,606 images and videos were initially extracted which corresponded to 3,261 Instagram posts. After data cleaning, a final dataset of 574 posts were categorised into 6 message categories which were humour, shock/disgust/fear, personal stories/statements, educational/informative, opportunistic and advocacy. The most common post category was educational/informative (78%) and humour was the least common (2%). We also looked at the average engagement (likes) with these posts, the educational/informative category received the most likes per post (mean of 30). The fear/shock/disgust category received 25 likes per post, humour and personal stories/statements 18 and 21 respectively. Our study shows Instagram has hardly been used for AMR interventions. An important population group of young adults who use Instagram as their main source of information, is missed in public health messaging on AMR.
Instagram's popularity as a social network platform has generated concerns about its underlying mechanisms and potential negative consequences. Through examining structural relationships, the present study sought to explore the relationship between narcissism, celebrity worship, fear of missing out (FoMO), difficulty in emotion regulation, and problematic Instagram use. The sample comprised 450 students (78.9% female) from six universities in Iran. The scales used in the study assessed problematic Instagram use, narcissism, celebrity worship, difficulties in emotion regulation, and FoMO. The results indicated that there was a positive association between narcissism, celebrity worship, and problematic Instagram use. Also, difficulties in emotion regulation and FoMO were partial mediators of the association between the predictor variables (i.e., narcissism and celebrity worship) and problematic Instagram use. The findings emphasize the need for additional research on difficulty in emotion regulation, FoMO, and other underlying mechanisms contributing to problematic Instagram use.
Introduction: This study assesses how Canadian Plastic Surgery Residency Instagram accounts are utilized and perceived by residents, fellows, and attending physicians, and evaluates their influence on medical students' residency program selection. Methods: This 2-part study includes: (1) a descriptive analysis of Instagram activity, content, and engagement, along with a national survey of Canadian plastic surgery residents, fellows, and attendings assessing account utility; and (2) a survey of medical students who attended the University of Toronto Plastic Surgery Residency Information Session, evaluating Instagram's influence on residency selection. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results: Twelve of 13 Canadian Plastic Surgery Residency Programs had active Instagram accounts. Canadian Plastic Surgery Residency Instagram accounts had an average of 119 posts (SD = 94) over 5 years (SD = 2). Among surveyed residents (N = 27/77, 35%) and fellows/attendings (N = 83/328, 25%), Instagram use was reported by 93% and 81%, respectively. Resident recruitment ranked as the top goal (residents 1.75, fellows/attendings 3.17), followed by achievement highlights. Most residents (80%) and fellows/attendings (53%) felt medical students benefitted most. Preferred content included program culture (85%, 84%), resident profiles (90%, 73%), and research highlights (70%, 70%). Among medical student respondents (N = 25/112, 22%), 95% followed Canadian programs on Instagram, seeking program culture, resident profiles, and educational opportunities (all 89%). Over half (56%) said Instagram influenced their perception of a program, with all reporting a positive impact. Conclusion: Instagram is a valuable platform for Canadian Plastic Surgery Residency Programs to share insights and influence medical student decision-making. Introduction : Cette étude évalue comment les comptes Instagram des programmes de résidence canadiens en chirurgie plastique sont utilisés et perçus par les résidents, les fellows et les médecins traitants; elle évalue leur influence sur la sélection d’un programme de résidence par les étudiants en médecine. Méthodes : Cette étude en deux parties comporte : (1) une analyse descriptive de l’activité sur Instagram, du contenu et de l’implication, ainsi qu’une enquête nationale sur la chirurgie plastique auprès des résidents, des fellows et des participants évaluant l’utilité des comptes, et (2) une enquête auprès des étudiants en médecine qui avaient assisté à une séance d’information sur la résidence en chirurgie plastique de l’université de Toronto, évaluant l’influence d’Instagram sur la sélection de la résidence. Des statistiques descriptives ont été produites. Résultats : Douze des 13 programmes canadiens de résidence en chirurgie plastique ont des comptes Instagram actifs. Les comptes Instagram de chirurgie plastique au Canada comptaient, en moyenne, 119 publications (ÉT = 94) en 5 ans (ÉT = 2). Parmi les résidents questionnés (N = 27/77, 35 %) et les fellows participants (N = 83/328, 25 %), l’utilisation d’Instagram était rapportée par, respectivement, 93 % et 81 %. Le recrutement des résidents était classé comme étant le but principal (résidents 1,75, fellows/participants 3,17), suivi par la mise en valeur des réussites. La plupart des résidents (80 %) et des fellows/participants (53 %) ont estimé que les étudiants en médecine en profitaient le plus. Le contenu préféré incluait la culture du programme (85 %, 84 %), les profils des résidents (90 %, 73 %) et les points forts de la recherche (70 %, 70 %). Parmi les étudiants en médecine ayant répondu (n = 25/112, 22 %), 95 % suivaient les programmes canadiens sur Instagram, recherchant la culture du programme, les profils de résidents et les possibilités de formation (tous 89 %). Plus de la moitié (56 %) ont déclaré qu’Instagram influençait leur point de vue sur un programme, tous indiquant un impact positif. Conclusion : Instagram est une plateforme utilise qui permet aux programmes canadiens de résidence en chirurgie plastique de partager des points de vue et d’influencer la prise de décision des étudiants en médecine.