Google search behavior for meningitis and its vaccines: an infodemiological study

Abstract Background The internet has made significant contributions towards health education. Analyzing the pattern of online behavior regarding meningitis and vaccinations may be worthwhile. It is hypothesized that search patterns in are correlated with its number cases related vaccines. Methods This was an infodemiological study determined relationship among interest meningitis, worldwide associated Using Google Trends™ Search Volume Indices (SVIs), we evaluated queries “meningitis,” “pneumococcal vaccine,” “BCG “meningococcal vaccine” “influenza January 2021, covering 2008 to December 2020. Spearman rank correlation used determine correlations between these queries. Results from 2020 showed average SVI 46 ± 8.8. most searched topics were symptoms, vaccines, infectious agents SVIs 100, 52, 39, respectively. top three countries highest Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kenya. There weak, but statistically BCG ( ? = 0.369, p < 0.001) meningococcal 0.183, 0.05) no associations cases, influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine. Conclusion relationships for vaccines data inconsistent remained unclear. Future studies expand their scopes social media, semantics, big more robust conclusions.