EFFICACY AND ACCURACY OF YOUTUBE AS A PLATFORM FOR HEALTH COMMUNICATION ON GENDER TRANSITION-RELATED INFORMATION AMONG TRANSGENDER WOMEN

The research study probes on the efficacy and accuracy of YouTube as a platform for health communication on gender transition-related information amongst transgender women. It objectively sought to identify transgender women’s perception to YouTube’s level of exposure and familiarity, the level of effectiveness in terms of message content, style or format, and its technical aspects, and the level of accuracy for health communication on gender transition-related information. It also sought to do a content analysis of YouTube videos on gender-transition materials in terms of message, style or format, branded intro or tagline, image quality, audio, graphics, and duration. Following the framework grounded on the theoretical concepts of uses and gratifications in the acquisition of gender transition information needs through media usage; and the perceived effectiveness and legitimacy of YouTube as a health communication medium on the process of gender transition amongst transgender women. Thematic analysis on the basis of qualitative research is applied to subjectively assess the perceived efficacy and accuracy of YouTube as a platform in transgender women experiences in the locale of the study; while a content analysis is done on the basis of quantitative research which evaluates the aspects of selected YouTube videos on gender transition. Through virtual interviews, data collected by audio and video recordings are transcribed wherein results formulated from the data gathered were the prevalent use of transgender women to social media as information platforms among transgender women wherein YouTube as an accessible and alternative resource of peer information disseminates information on gender transition processes such as hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, shared personal experiences of transgender women on gender transition, and alternative information from medical professionals. The level of perceived effectiveness of YouTube in terms of its message content among transgender women is its capability as a convenient platform for education on gender transition practices wherein it is utilized to acquire alternative information. The level of perceived effectiveness of YouTube in terms of its style or format among transgender women is its clear and realistic transgender diaries distributed for identity expression. The level of perceived