Assessing the Quality and Accuracy of Syphilis-Related Content on TikTok and YouTube: A Comprehensive Analysis

Sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, pose a significant public health challenge. The advent of social media platforms has revolutionized health information dissemination, with YouTube and TikTok emerging as prominent sources. However, concerns persist regarding the reliability of syphilis-related content on these platforms. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and accuracy of syphilis-related content on TikTok and YouTube, using established tools such as DISCERN, Accuracy in Digital-health Instrument (ANDI), and Global Quality Scale (GQS).

We conducted a thorough search on TikTok and YouTube on November 26, 2023, using the keyword "syphilis." Inclusion criteria comprised videos in English, less than 20 minutes in duration, and relevance to syphilis. Two dermatologists independently rated 98 eligible videos using DISCERN, ANDI, and GQS. Statistical analyses included χ2 tests, mean comparisons, and interclass correlation.

TikTok videos exhibited higher mean views (222,519 ± 412,746) compared with YouTube (127,527 ± 223,622). However, TikTok videos had lower mean GQS (2.3 ± 0.9), ANDI (2.19 ± 0.99), and DISCERN (28.7 ± 6.56) scores compared with YouTube (GQS: 2.9 ± 1.1, ANDI: 2.90 ± 0.97, DISCERN: 38.8 ± 9). Nonprofessional uploaders were 40.8% on TikTok, whereas the value was 53.1% on YouTube.

This study reveals disparities in the quality and accuracy of syphilis-related content on TikTok and YouTube. Despite higher popularity on TikTok, content quality, as assessed by DISCERN, ANDI, and GQS, was generally lower compared with YouTube. Targeted interventions are needed to improve the reliability of syphilis-related information on social media platforms.