Googling “Twitter Alter” and “HIV/AIDS” in the Philippines: An infodemiological study from 2011 to 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Online “Twitter Alter” accounts have emerged in the Philippines, particularly among its men who have sex with men (MSM) community, including gay and bisexual men. It enabled them to mask their identities, avoiding discrimination based on their sexual preferences, orientations, and behaviors. Given these and the rising use of the internet, Google Trends can be used as a surrogate measure to determine changes in public interest concerning HIV and Twitter Alter. Methods: This study aimed to elucidate search pattern changes and related interest of the online public regarding “Twitter Alter” and “HIV/AIDS” over ten years from July 2011 to June 2021. An analysis of Google Trends for keywords “Twitter Alter” and “HIV/AIDS (Illness)” from July 2011 to June 2021 was done as a surrogate measure of public interest and awareness. Search volumes, related queries, and topics were described and compared. Results: It was found that the search volume for “Twitter Alter” has increased by about 10000% while the “HIV/AIDS (Illness)” search volume decreased to 67%. Conclusion: Online public interest, as an alternative measure to public awareness, has increased for “Twitter Alter” while decreasing for HIV. Given these, “Twitter Alter” may put its users, mostly young MSM, at a more conducive venue for high-risk sexual behaviors due to the higher behavioral control while avoiding public stigma. Nonetheless, the online “Twitter Alter” community may also be mustered in information campaigns for HIV prevention.