The use of TikTok as a source of medical information regarding tubal ligation: a cross-sectional study

TikTok is a key source of contraceptive information, including female permanent contraception (FPC), for young adults. Therefore, this cross-sectional study seeks to assess the quality of health information regarding FPC as presented in top-viewed TikTok videos. Two independent reviewers analyzed 101 most viewed videos with the hashtags #tubal, #tuballigation, and #tubestied for creator demographics, tonality, and content. Statistical analysis using the two sample Wilcoxen rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test was performed to compare DISCERN and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) scores between medical professionals and laypeople. Many videos portray personal experiences and have a negative tone, highlighting distrust, side effects, and tubal failure resulting in pregnancy. Educational content has a significantly higher average medical accuracy (p = 0.003) and content accessibility (p = 0.02) scores when created by medical professionals as compared to laypeople. As TikTok promotes engagement over shared concerns, many videos portray a narrative of dissatisfaction and complication following permanent contraception procedures. Healthcare professionals may find value in utilizing the platform to intentionally share credible content and counter misinformation regarding permanent contraceptive methods.