GOOGLE TRENDS ANALYSIS OF TOOTHACHE-RELATED INFORMATION-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MALAYSIA

Received 2023-08-01; Accepted 2024-01-29; Published 2024-08-01

Abstract

Google Trends (GT) is a primary tool for studying online behaviours and exploring web search trends related to specific topics over time. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, several Movement Control Orders (MCO) were implemented, resulting in restricted access to dental care. The public may have searched for online information to manage their dental problems and needs. This study aimed to investigate toothache-related information-seeking keywords via GT and their correlation with different phases of the MCO implementation. A retrospective study was conducted using GT to collect Relative Search Volume (RSV) of toothache-related keywords from 2020 to 2021 in Malaysia. RSV was compared between the various MCO phases which were the First MCO (March-May 2020), Conditional MCO (May-June 2020), Recovery MCO (June 2020-March 2021), MCO by states (March-May 2021), MCO3.0 (May-June 2021) and the National Recovery Plan (NRP) from June 2021 onwards. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. The mean RSV was 74.43 (SD ± 8.46), with a peak of 100 on the week of 25th July 2021. The highest recorded RSV period between May to September 2021 corresponded with MCO3.0 and the early phase of NRP. The most searched toothache-related keyword in Malaysia was “ubat sakit gigi”, with an RSV of 100. All top related search keywords were in the Malay language. States with the highest RSV of toothache-related keywords were Kelantan, Sabah, and Terengganu. There was a positive correlation between RSV of toothache-related keywords and the different phases of MCO, r = 0.206 and p = 0.036 (p < 0.05). MCO implementations and seasonal interest during the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to influence the trend of Google users in Malaysia seeking information about toothaches. These findings may be used as supplementary data to support planning for oral health services and information delivery.