Exploring How Rheumatic Fever Is Portrayed on TikTok: A Descriptive Content Analysis

Siobhan Tu’akoi (), Malakai Ofanoa, Samuela Ofanoa, Maryann Heather, Hinamaha Lutui and Felicity Goodyear-Smith
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Siobhan Tu’akoi: Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Malakai Ofanoa: Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Samuela Ofanoa: Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Maryann Heather: Pacific Health Section, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Hinamaha Lutui: Southpoint Family Doctors, Auckland 2104, New Zealand
Felicity Goodyear-Smith: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: TikTok is a popular social media platform offering educational opportunities for health issues such as rheumatic fever, which primarily affects 4–19-year-olds globally. This content analysis aimed to explore the type of rheumatic fever content available and popular on TikTok and the role that rheumatic fever representation may play in shaping public understanding and attitudes. The top 100 TikTok video posts under the hashtag #rheumaticfever were examined. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize video metrics and deductive thematic analysis enabled the coding of video content. The majority of TikTok users creating rheumatic fever content were patients or family members of people suffering from rheumatic fever (42%), followed by health professionals (30%). Forty-three percent of videos had negative connotations and personal stories were the most commonly coded type of video (42%). In terms of rheumatic fever content, symptoms ( n = 59), medications/treatment ( n = 37) and disease pathogenesis ( n = 36) were the most common themes. Misinformation was identified in 3% of videos. This study provides a unique insight into who is making rheumatic fever-related content on TikTok and the primarily negative framing of narratives people are exposed to. There are opportunities for future health promotion strategies to focus on the gaps identified in this study, including information on where to seek health services, primordial prevention and stories of recovery.

Keywords: rheumatic fever; TikTok; content analysis; social media; video (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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