Evaluation of Information of Websites on Precocious Puberty

Kim, Bok Ki; Park, So Hyun; Sung, Hyeoun U; Park, Sin Young; Kwon, Yong Se; Jun, Yong Hoon; Kim, Soon Ki; Lee, Ji Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the quality and scientific accuracy of internet information regarding precocious puberty.
METHODS
We identified websites by entering "precocious puberty" or "early puberty" into 5 search engines from May to July 2011. The top 50 websites from each search engine were included, excluding websites that were duplicate, inaccessible, or had poor information (containing fewer than two subjects of definition, causes, diagnosis, or treatment); 60 sites were identified. We classified the websites according to website author, evaluated the quality with the DISCERN instrument, giving a scientific accuracy with information score (IS) ranging from 0 to 30 points.
RESULTS
Analysis of the quality with the DISCERN instrument showed that the majority of websites received low overall ratings regardless of the authors. Assessing the scientific accuracy, the mean IS of oriental websites (10.82) was significantly low compared to that of academic authors (22.61), physician authors (21.50), commercial authors (22.88), and other authors (27.00).
CONCLUSION
With the exception of oriental websites, scientifically accurate information was provided on the websites regarding precocious puberty. Most of the analyzed websites showed low reliability. It is important to provide reliable information as well as scientifically accurate information