An Analysis of Discourse Surrounding Oral Contraceptives on TikTok [ID 2683389]

INTRODUCTION: The lack of comprehensive sex education in U.S. secondary schools has created large knowledge gaps in reproductive health, leading many adolescents and young adults to turn to social media platforms, such as TikTok, for information about contraception. This cross-sectional study aims to provide a descriptive content analysis of the quality and reliability of oral contraceptive health information on TikTok. METHODS: One thousand TikTok videos listed under various search terms related to oral contraceptives were screened. Data including engagement metrics such as views, likes, comments, saves, and shares were recorded. Video content, including contraceptive methods discussed, efficacy, tolerability, and side effects, was recorded. Two reviewers independently used a modified DISCERN criteria and Global Quality Scale (GQS) to assess the quality and reliability of information for each video. According to the IRB, this project has been approved and exempt from further review. RESULTS: Five hundred seventy-four videos were analyzed after applying exclusion criteria. Videos had a median length of 27 seconds and received a median of 166 views per day. Video creators were 83.3% female and 58.7% White. 49.8% of videos discussed adverse effects, whereas only 27.5% discussed positive effects. The mean modified DISCERN score was 1.63±1.062 and the mean GQS score was 2.28±1.374. Health care professionals had significantly higher DISCERN and GQS scores than non-health care professionals; however, they received fewer views and likes on their videos ( P <.001). CONCLUSION: TikTok videos related to oral contraceptive health had low quality and reliability of information. The majority of videos were made by non-health care providers, and the most common topic discussed was adverse effects of contraception. Videos made by health care professionals contained more reliable contraceptive information but received less engagement than videos made by non-health care professionals. Health care providers should consider the prevalence of poor quality information about oral contraceptives on social media when counseling and educating patients about reproductive health.