Accuracy of Information about the Intrauterine Device on the Internet

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective methods of contraception, but use continues to lag behind less effective methods such as oral contraceptive pills and condoms. Women who are aware of the actual effectiveness of various contraceptive methods are more likely to choose the IUD. Conversely, women who are misinformed about the safety of IUDs may be less like to use this method. Individuals increasingly use the Internet for health information. Information about IUDs obtained through the Internet may influence attitudes about IUD use among patients.

Our objective was to evaluate the quality of information about intrauterine devices (IUDs) among websites providing contraceptive information to the public.

We developed a 56-item structured questionnaire to evaluate the quality of information about IUDs available through the Internet. We then conducted an online search to identify websites containing information about contraception and IUDs using common search engines. The search was performed in August 2013 and websites were reviewed in October 2015 to ensure no substantial changes.

Our search identified over 2000 websites, of which 108 were eligible for review; 105 (97.2%) of these sites contained information about IUDs. Eighty-sex percent of sites provided at least one mechanism of the IUD. Most websites accurately reported advantages of the IUD including that it is long-acting (91%), highly effective (82%), and reversible (68%). However, only 30% of sites explicitly indicated that IUDs are safe. Fifty percent of sites (n=53) contained inaccurate information about the IUD such as an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease beyond the insertion month (27%) or that women in non-monogamous relationships (30%) and nulliparous women (20%) are not appropriate candidates. Forty-four percent of websites stated that a mechanism of IUDs is prevention of implantation of a fertilized egg. Only 3% of websites incorrectly stated that IUDs are an abortifacient. More than a quarter of sites listed an inaccurate contraindication to the IUD such as nulliparity, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, or history of an ectopic pregnancy.

The quality of information about IUDs available on the Internet is variable. Accurate information was mixed with inaccurate or outdated information that could perpetuate myths about IUDs. Clinicians need knowledge about accurate,, evidence-based Internet resources to provide to women given the inconsistent quality of information available through online sources.

Purchase full article at:  http://goo.gl/atwzN9

By:  Madden T1, Cortez S2, Kuzemchak M2, Kaphingst KA3, Politi MC2.

• 1Division of Clinical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. Electronic address: maddent@wustl.edu.
• 2Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
• 3Department of Communication and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112. 

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight

And: http://twitter.com/Prison_Health