Haliç Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.4, sa.3, ss.225-233, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
In this study, we aimed to determine whether these instructive videos on handmade masks published on YouTube® are compatible with the criteria issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). The present study investigated 184 videos yielded by a search on YouTube® with the keywords ‘‘DIY mask, handmade mask, fabric mask’’ during the period from January 01, 2020 to April 01, 2020. The videos were categorized according to the criteria recommended by WHO and CDC. Audience interest parameters such as total members, views, likes, dislikes, comments made, video sources and upload date were evaluated. 66.8% (n=123) of the instructive YouTube® videos concerning handmade masks were uploaded by craft-DIY-tutorial pages, 57.1% (n=105) included the sewing method, 97.3% (n=179) included unsuitable material usage as per CDC, 98.4% (n=181) were not compatible with CDC directives, 99.5% (n=183) used non-fluid-resistant material, 78.3% (n=144) involved masks that collapse against the mouth and 95.7% (n=176) involved gaps between the face and the mask. We found that the videos published on YouTube® are not reliable sources of information about handmade masks.