JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The rise of short-video platforms, such as TikTok (Douyin in China) and Bilibili, has significantly influenced how health information is disseminated to the public. However, the quality, reliability, and effectiveness of health-related content on these platforms, particularly regarding uterine fibroids, remain underexplored. Uterine fibroids are a common medical condition that affects a substantial proportion of women worldwide. While these platforms have become vital sources of health education, misinformation and incomplete content may undermine their efficacy.

Objective:

This study aims to address these gaps by evaluating the quality and dissemination effectiveness of uterine fibroid-related health information on TikTok and Bilibili.

Methods:

A total of 200 uterine fibroid-related videos (100 from TikTok and 100 from Bilibili) were selected through a keyword search. The videos were evaluated by two trained gynecological experts using the Global Quality Score (GQS) and a modified version of the DISCERN tool (mDISCERN). Additionally, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials (PEMAT-A/V) was employed to assess the understandability and actionability of the videos. Statistical analyses, including the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and stepwise regression analysis, were used to assess differences between platforms and identify predictors of video quality.

Results:

The results indicated that TikTok outperformed Bilibili in terms of user engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and followers (all P < .001). However, Bilibili videos were generally longer than those on TikTok (P < .001). The overall quality and reliability of the videos on both platforms were suboptimal, with median GQS scores of 3 (range: 1-5) for TikTok and Bilibili. The median modified DISCERN scores were also low: 2 (range: 1-4) for TikTok and 2 (range: 1-3) for Bilibili, with no significant differences between the two platforms (P = 0.62 for GQS, P = 0.18 for mDISCERN). Both platforms scored similarly on understandability (median PEMAT-U = 77%) and actionability (median PEMAT-A = 67%). Videos uploaded by medical professionals on TikTok had significantly higher quality scores compared to those uploaded by non-professionals. A moderate positive correlation was observed between the GQS and mDISCERN scores (r = 0.41, P < .01), indicating an interrelationship between quality and reliability. Stepwise regression analysis identified "completeness score," "source," and "PEMAT scores" as significant predictors of video quality.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the generally low quality of uterine fibroid-related health information on short-video platforms, although TikTok showed better performance in terms of engagement and quality. The involvement of medical professionals was found to enhance video quality. These findings underscore the need for improved oversight of health content on social media platforms and greater involvement of healthcare professionals to ensure the dissemination of accurate and reliable health information.