“Popularity” is not always “credibility”: cross-sectional quality and reliability of short videos on postpartum urinary incontinence across TikTok and Bilibili

Abstract Background This cross-sectional study assessed the quality and reliability of postpartum urinary incontinence-related short video content on TikTok and Bilibili. It provides practical suggestions to optimize short video-based health communication and improve clinical patient education for this pelvic floor disorder. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to retrieve relevant videos and basic characteristics and interaction data were extracted. We adopted four assessment tools: Global Quality Score (GQS), modified DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), to compare content quality across platforms and creator groups. Results A total of 180 videos were included (50.6% TikTok, 49.4% Bilibili), with non-specialist physicians as the main uploaders (32.2%) and creator composition differing between the two platforms. Overall video quality was low (GQS, mDISCERN, JAMA median = 2.00; VIQI = 10.00), with severe information gaps in diagnosis (76.7% uncovered) and prevention (77.8% uncovered). TikTok had higher likes ( P = 0.002), while Bilibili had longer durations and higher VIQI scores ( P < 0.05). Individual user videos yielded the highest user engagement, whereas specialist-physician videos achieved optimal quality ( P < 0.05). Engagement indicators showed weak correlations with quality outcomes ( r =-0.18 ~ 0.12). Conclusions Postpartum urinary incontinence short videos exhibit low overall quality and uneven coverage of core medical knowledge. Platform features and creator professional backgrounds jointly shape video content. High online popularity cannot guarantee scientific accuracy. We recommend expanding specialist participation, standardizing health-information release, and integrating new-media science outreach into clinical education.