A Netnography on Misinformation and Public Perceptions towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Oral Cancer Prevention in Malaysia

Authors

  • Nurin Atheela Hairudin Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nur Syuhada Abdul Majeed Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nurul Ain Noorjamal Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nuruliza Roslan Department of Medical Sciences I, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Persiaran Ilmu, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Eddy Hasrul Hassan Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/cos.v12i2.8825

Keywords:

misinformation, public perceptions, HPV vaccine, oral cancer, social listening, Malaysia

Abstract

The amount of repeated misinformation regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination over social media and internet affects general public perception and knowledge about the association between HPV vaccine and oral cancer. Objective: This study aims to investigate misinformation and public perceptions towards HPV vaccination for oral cancer prevention in Malaysia, focusing specifically on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook data. Methods: Adopting a qualitative approach, this study utilizes online ethnographic methods (social listening) to explore discussions, sentiments, and trends surrounding HPV vaccination on X and Facebook from January 2022 to March 2024. Data collection involves monitoring tweets/posts related to HPV vaccination and oral cancer prevention in the Malaysian context. Analytical techniques such as content analysis, sentiment analysis, and thematic coding are employed to identify patterns, themes, and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Results: From the 1,399 posts by 547 unique users, findings from the study reveal prevalent misinformation and varied public perceptions towards HPV vaccination on X and Facebook in Malaysia. Content analysis identifies common themes and misconceptions (health, safety, inefficacy, and pharmacology) surrounding HPV vaccination, while sentiment analysis highlights divergent attitudes within the X and Facebook community. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of misinformation and public perceptions towards HPV vaccination for oral cancer prevention on X and Facebook in Malaysia. By understanding the dynamics of online discourse on this platform, policymakers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions to address misinformation, improve vaccine acceptance, and promote public health awareness among X and Facebook users.

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Published

2025-09-01

How to Cite

Hairudin, N. A., Abdul Majeed, N. S., Noorjamal, N. A., Roslan, N., & Hassan, E. H. (2025). A Netnography on Misinformation and Public Perceptions towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Oral Cancer Prevention in Malaysia. Compendium of Oral Science, 12(2), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.24191/cos.v12i2.8825

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025): Compendium of Oral Science

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Original Article

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