Infodemiology of flu: Google trends-based analysis of Italians' digital behavior and a focus on SARS-CoV-2, Italy.
| Autor: | Santangelo OE; Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Lodi, Lodi, Italy., Provenzano S; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico 'P. Giaccone', Palermo, Italy., Gianfredi V; School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene [J Prev Med Hyg] 2021 Sep 15; Vol. 62 (3), pp. E586-E591. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Sep 15 (Print Publication: 2021). |
| DOI: | 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.3.1704 |
| Abstrakt: | Introduction: The aim of the current study was to assess if the frequency of internet searches for influenza are aligned with Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) cases and deaths. Also, we evaluate the distribution over time and the correlation between search volume of flu and flu symptoms with reported new cases of SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods: The reported cases and deaths of flu and the reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 were selected from the reports of ISS, the data have been aggregated by week. The search volume provided by Google Trends (GT) has a relative nature and is calculated as a percentage of query related to a specific term in connection with a determined place and time-frame. Results: The strongest correlation between GT search and influenza cases was found at a lag of +1 week particularly for the period 2015-2019. A strong correlation was also found at a lag of +1 week between influenza death and GT search. About the correlation between GT search and SARS-CoV-2 new cases the strongest correlation was found at a lag of +3 weeks for the term flu. Conclusion: In the last years research in health care has used GT data to explore public interest in various fields of medicine. Caution should be used when interpreting the findings of digital surveillance. Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interest. (©2021 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|