Adolescent users of an online contraception selection tool: how user preferences and characteristics differ from those of adults.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report user statistics of an online contraception selection tool over a 6-month period, comparing preferences and characteristics of adolescents to those of adults. SETTING: Choosing Wisely, available on the website www.SexualityandU.ca, is an interactive program that helps women select an ideal birth control method. DESIGN: Answers to the online questionnaire were logged for a 6-month period. Answers of adolescent users were retrospectively reviewed for responses to questions regarding personal preferences and compared with those of adults. PARTICIPANTS: Participants of the study included users who self-identified as first-time users of Choosing Wisely. RESULTS: 3178 adolescents (age ≤19) and 4206 adults self-identified as new users and completed the software module. Adolescents less commonly reported weighing over 198 pounds or to be smokers. 61% of adolescents would prefer to avoid menses (vs 52% of adults) and 83% of adolescent would find a pregnancy devastating (vs 64% of adults). 1720 (54%) of the adolescents had menstrual complaints; of these 500 (29%) did not believe they could reliably take a pill daily. The majority of both adolescents (73%) and adults (71%) claimed to be willing to use a contraceptive method that required interruption of intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Choosing Wisely is attracting large numbers of teens and adults, whose responses provide insight into the characteristics of those seeking contraception. Our data corroborate the need for contraceptive options such as combined contraceptives that do not require daily pill-taking and contraceptives that offer menstrual management. However, the magnitude of these statistically significant differences was not always as impressive clinically.