(257) TURNING TO TIKTOK: PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS AMONG PATIENTS ABOUT VASECTOMIES

Abstract Introduction TikTok, a short-form video social media platform, is used by hundreds of millions daily to share experiences and learn new information. Millennials (born between 1981 to 1996) have indicated increased trust in healthcare information accessed over TikTok; a recent study demonstrated one in five surveyed went to TikTok for health information before a physician. As vasectomy interest rises, awareness and understanding of the most commonly available information is critical for physicians to better aid patients. Objective Explore the reach, content, and quality of vasectomy-related TikTok content created in 2022 before and after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Methods Using a proprietary TikTok application program interface (API) program, we queried the 100 most-viewed vasectomy-related videos created across two time periods in 2022: January 24–June 23 and June 24–December 23. We segmented our time periods to best represent the increase of reproductive healthcare content created following the June 24th, 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health decision overturning Roe v. Wade (hereafter, Roe). Videos in a language other than English, lacking textual or verbal content, or deemed unrelated to vasectomies were excluded. Included videos were categorized by two raters as primarily educational, experiential, or entertainment in purpose, as well as positive, neutral, or negative tone. Results 158 videos met inclusion criteria. Since their creation, these videos garnered more than 137.5 million views, 20.7 million likes, and 1.25 million shares. Mentions of reproductive rights increased more than 300% in videos created after Roe compared to those created before (n = 25 vs n = 7, respectively). The two raters’ Cohen’s kappa on tone and purpose categorization agreement were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.89) and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87, 0.94). Videos were overwhelmingly neutral to positive in vasectomy portrayal, with only 3.2% (n = 5) videos categorized as negative in tone. 22 videos (13.9%) were categorized as educational in purpose, 73 (46.2%) as entertainment, and 63 (39.9%) as experiential. Among educational videos, only seven videos were created by a board-certified MD, and only two were created by urologists. Conclusions Patients are increasingly turning to social media for healthcare information. Given the dearth of educational videos on social media about vasectomies and men’s reproductive health, we urge physicians to be aware of, and even actively engage in creating, this informational presence. Disclosure No.