Abstract
This study examined the influence of TikTok and information seeking behaviour on the
information needs of pregnant women attending UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo,
and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osun State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on
Wilson's model of information behaviour, Self-Determination Theory and Affordance
Theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was
administered to 218 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, out of which 209
copies (95.87%) were valid for analysis. Data were analysed using frequency counts,
percentages, mean and standard deviation, while the null hypothesis was tested using
the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings
revealed that the respondents had high information needs (weighted mean = 3.24),
especially on nutrition and diet. TikTok use was widespread (77.5%), and over 82% of
respondents frequently came across pregnancy-related content on their For You Page
unsolicited. Doctors, antenatal classes and nurses were the most consulted sources,
while TikTok was the leading informal source and moderately influenced the
respondents' information needs (weighted mean = 2.98). A weak but significant positive
relationship was found between information seeking behaviour and information needs
(r = 0.137, p = 0.049). However, 61.7% of the respondents could not distinguish credible
from false content on TikTok. The study concluded that TikTok has become an
important part of the information environment of pregnant women and recommended
that healthcare providers and library and information professionals provide verified
pregnancy information on TikTok and strengthen the health information literacy of
pregnant women.
Keywords: TikTok, Information needs, Information seeking behaviour, Pregnant
women, Health information, Social media, Nigeria
Publication Date: 2026-10-31