Enfermos renales hispanoamericanos en la época de las redes sociales virtuales: análisis de contenido de sus publicaciones, 2010 - 2012

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

OBJETIVO: Describir la utilización de las redes sociales virtuales (RSV) por parte de personas con enfermedad renal crónica, sus cuidadores y familiares, residentes en países hispanoamericanos e identificar los temas y subtemas más frecuentes en sus publicaciones. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de las publicaciones de los enfermos renales crónicos, sus cuidadores y familiares, residentes en Hispanoamérica en cinco redes sociales: Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress y YouTube, entre 2010 y 2012. Se utilizaron los motores internos de cada red con términos médicos y legos: enfermedad renal crónica, insuficiencia renal, diálisis peritoneal, hemodiálisis, trasplante renal, enfermo renal, paciente renal, nefrópata y asociación de enfermos renales. Se realizó el análisis de contenido temático de 1 846 publicaciones de Facebook, Blogger y Wordpress. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 162 cuentas (97 individuales y 65 colectivas); la mayoría se localizó en México (46) y en Argentina, Chile, Colombia y Perú (44 cuentas). Los temas más frecuentes fueron el intercambio de información (46,0%), el relato de vivencias como enfermo (17,9%), el apoyo (15,6%), los relatos sobre experiencias con los servicios de salud (8,5%), la interacción con pares (3,5%) y la promoción de cambios de conducta (3,4%). CONCLUSIONES: Los enfermos renales crónicos residentes en Hispanoamerica utilizan las RSV para informar e informarse, relatar sus vivencias con la enfermedad y los servicios de salud, y como mecanismo de apoyo. Esto genera conocimientos diferentes y complementarios a los aportados por los profesionales de la salud. Urge fomentar estudios sobre las posibilidades que brindan estas tecnologías en las Américas, región caracterizada por una enorme desigualdad social.

Translated abstract

OBJECTIVE: Describe the use of online social networks by people with chronic kidney disease, their caregivers, and family members, living in Hispanic American countries, and identify the most frequent topics and subtopics in their postings. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted of postings by chronic kidney patients, their caregivers, and family members, living in Hispanic America, on five social networks: Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and YouTube, from 2010 to 2012. The internal search engines of each network were used with medical and lay terms in Spanish: chronic kidney disease, renal failure, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, renal transplant, renal patient, nephropathy, and kidney patients association. An analysis was carried out of the thematic content of 1 846 postings on Facebook, Blogger, and WordPress. RESULTS: A total of 162 social network accounts were identified (97 individuals and 65 groups); the majority was in Mexico (46), with others in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru (44 accounts). The most frequent topics were exchange of information (46.0%), descriptions of experiences as patients (17.9%), support (15.6%), descriptions of experiences with health services (8.5%), interaction with peers (3.5%), and promotion of behavior change (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic kidney patients living in Hispanic America use online social networks to inform and to be informed, describe their experiences with the disease and health services, and as a support mechanism. This produces knowledge that is different from and complementary to knowledge conveyed by health professionals. There is a pressing need to promote studies of the opportunities that these technologies offer in the Americas, a region characterized by enormous social inequality.

Related collections

Most cited references 46

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Three approaches to qualitative content analysis.

Hsiu-Fang Hsieh, Sarah Shannon (2016)

Content analysis is a widely used qualitative research technique. Rather than being a single method, current applications of content analysis show three distinct approaches: conventional, directed, or summative. All three approaches are used to interpret meaning from the content of text data and, hence, adhere to the naturalistic paradigm. The major differences among the approaches are coding schemes, origins of codes, and threats to trustworthiness. In conventional content analysis, coding categories are derived directly from the text data. With a directed approach, analysis starts with a theory or relevant research findings as guidance for initial codes. A summative content analysis involves counting and comparisons, usually of keywords or content, followed by the interpretation of the underlying context. The authors delineate analytic procedures specific to each approach and techniques addressing trustworthiness with hypothetical examples drawn from the area of end-of-life care.

0 comments Cited 6266 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: found

Is Open Access

Seeking Support on Facebook: A Content Analysis of Breast Cancer Groups

Jacqueline Bender, Maria Carolina Jimenez-Marroquin, Alejandro Jadad (2011)

Background Social network sites have been growing in popularity across broad segments of Internet users, and are a convenient means to exchange information and support. Research on their use for health-related purposes is limited. Objective This study aimed to characterize the purpose, use, and creators of Facebook groups related to breast cancer. Methods We searched Facebook (www.Facebook.com) using the term breast cancer. We restricted our analysis to groups that were related to breast cancer, operated in English, and were publicly available. Two of us independently extracted information on the administrator and purpose of the group, as well as the number of user-generated contributions. We developed a coding scheme to guide content analysis. Results We found 620 breast cancer groups on Facebook containing a total of 1,090,397 members. The groups were created for fundraising (277/620, 44.7%), awareness (236, 38.1%), product or service promotion related to fundraising or awareness (61, 9%), or patient/caregiver support (46, 7%). The awareness groups as a whole contained by far the most members (n = 957,289). The majority of groups (532, 85.8%) had 25 wall posts or fewer. The support oriented groups, 47% (27/57) of which were established by high school or college students, were associated with the greatest number of user-generated contributions. Conclusions Facebook groups have become a popular tool for awareness-raising, fundraising, and support-seeking related to breast cancer attracting over one million users. Given their popularity and reach, further research is warranted to explore the implications of social network sites as a health resource across various health conditions, cultures, ages, and socioeconomic groups.

0 comments Cited 114 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Chronic kidney disease: the global challenge.

A Meguid El Nahas, Aminu Bello (2005)

The worldwide rise in the number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and consequent end-stage renal failure necessitating renal replacement therapy is threatening to reach epidemic proportions over the next decade, and only a small number of countries have robust economies able to meet the challenges posed. A change in global approach to CKD from treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to much more aggressive primary and secondary prevention is therefore imperative. In this Seminar, we examine the epidemiology of CKD worldwide, with emphasis on early detection and prevention, and the feasibility of methods for detection and primary prevention of CKD. We also review the risk factors and markers of progressive CKD. We explore current understanding of the mechanisms underlying renal scarring leading to ESRD to inform on current and future interventions as well as evidence relating to interventions to slow the progression of CKD. Finally, we make strategic recommendations based on future research to stem the worldwide growth of CKD. Consideration is given to health economics. A global and concerted approach to CKD must be adopted in both more and less developed countries to avoid a major catastrophe.