Comparing lengths and inclusion of information in storytelling videos: Implications for Hepatitis B education

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether adding disease-specific facts into storytelling videos and altering video length would lead to differences in overall ratings of the video and the storyteller, as well as hepatitis B prevention beliefs, among Asian American and Pacific Islander adults. METHODS: A sample of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults (N = 409) completed an online survey. Each participant was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 conditions that varied in video length and use of additional hepatitis B facts. Linear regressions were used to examine differences in outcomes (i.e., video rating, speaker rating, perceived effectiveness, hepatitis B prevention beliefs) by conditions. RESULTS: Condition 2, which added facts to the original full-length video, was significantly related to higher speaker ratings (i.e., the storyteller's rating) compared to Condition 1, the original full-length video with no added facts, p = 0.016. Condition 3, which added facts to the shortened video, was significantly related to lower overall video ratings (i.e., how much participants liked the videos overall) compared to Condition 1, p = 0.001. There were no significant differences in higher positive hepatitis B prevention beliefs across conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that adding disease-specific facts to storytelling for patient education may improve initial perceptions of storytelling videos; however, more research is needed to examine long-term effects. INNOVATION: Aspects of storytelling videos such as length and additional information have been rarely explored in storytelling research. This study provides evidence that exploring these aspects is informative to future storytelling campaigns and disease-specific prevention.