A cross-sectional study on the quality and reliability of short videos related to precancerous cervical lesions on major platforms

Objective To evaluate the quality, reliability, and educational value of videos related to precancerous cervical lesions across four major short-video platforms in China (TikTok, Bilibili, Kwai, and Xiaohongshu), using multiple validated evaluation tools. Methods A total of 1842 short videos were collected, assessed using GQS, JAMA, modified DISCERN, PEMAT, and HONcode tools. The videos were analyzed for quality, reliability, educational value, and engagement metrics (likes, comments, collections, shares). Results Videos on TikTok consistently achieved the highest scores for quality, reliability, and transparency across all scoring systems. In contrast, Bilibili, Kwai, and Xiaohongshu exhibited variable performance. Videos created by medical practitioners, particularly gynecologists, scored higher compared to those uploaded by non-medical practitioners. Content focusing on basic disease knowledge had higher educational value than prevention or post-treatment videos. Audience engagement did not always correlate with higher quality. Conclusion Short-video platforms may serve as valuable channels for health information dissemination. Among the sampled videos, TikTok demonstrated higher quality scores than the other evaluated platforms. Future efforts may focus on improving health information quality assurance, encouraging healthcare professional participation in content creation, and optimizing video formats for actionable health guidance.