BACKGROUND: Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is safe, effective, and recommended as first-line contraception for adolescents. Despite clear medical recommendations, the type and quality of Internet information regarding LARC for teenagers is unknown. METHODS: Data were collected through web queries. Resulting websites were assessed for quality criteria and a priori content themes based on the leading medical societies' recommendations for adolescent LARC. RESULTS: Of the 238 websites evaluated, 77% made no recommendation of LARC for adolescent females. Of the 55 websites that did recommend LARC, only 40% specifically discussed its use in the adolescent population. Of note, 16% of websites recommending LARC discouraged their use in adolescents. Quality varied among LARC-discussing websites, ranging from 3 to 13 of the 15 criteria assessed. DISCUSSION: Few websites offer up-to-date information regarding the use of LARC, and most fail to discuss LARC use at all. As LARC is highly effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies in adolescents, incomplete or inaccurate information on the Internet present a barrier to promoting its utilization in this at-risk population.
BACKGROUND: Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is safe, effective, and recommended as first-line contraception for adolescents. Despite clear medical recommendations, the type and quality of Internet information regarding LARC for teenagers is unknown. METHODS: Data were collected through web queries. Resulting websites were assessed for quality criteria and a priori content themes based on the leading medical societies' recommendations for adolescent LARC. RESULTS: Of the 238 websites evaluated, 77% made no recommendation of LARC for adolescent females. Of the 55 websites that did recommend LARC, only 40% specifically discussed its use in the adolescent population. Of note, 16% of websites recommending LARC discouraged their use in adolescents. Quality varied among LARC-discussing websites, ranging from 3 to 13 of the 15 criteria assessed. DISCUSSION: Few websites offer up-to-date information regarding the use of LARC, and most fail to discuss LARC use at all. As LARC is highly effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies in adolescents, incomplete or inaccurate information on the Internet present a barrier to promoting its utilization in this at-risk population.
Authors: Pamela J Burke; Mandy S Coles; Giuseppina Di Meglio; Erica J Gibson; Sara M Handschin; May Lau; Arik V Marcell; Kathleen P Tebb; Kim Urbach Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2014-04 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Danice K Eaton; Laura Kann; Steve Kinchen; Shari Shanklin; Katherine H Flint; Joseph Hawkins; William A Harris; Richard Lowry; Tim McManus; David Chyen; Lisa Whittle; Connie Lim; Howell Wechsler Journal: MMWR Surveill Summ Date: 2012-06-08
Authors: L T Ptomey; R A Washburn; J Lee; J L Greene; A N Szabo-Reed; J R Sherman; J C Danon; L N Osborne; T D Little; J E Donnelly Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2019-07-22 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Riley J Steiner; Catherine N Rasberry; Jessica M Sales; Laura M Gaydos; Karen Pazol; Michael R Kramer; Andrea Swartzendruber Journal: Contraception Date: 2018-04-21 Impact factor: 3.051
Authors: Magdalena Zgliczynska; Iwona Szymusik; Aleksandra Sierocinska; Armand Bajaka; Martyna Rowniak; Nicole Sochacki-Wojcicka; Miroslaw Wielgos; Katarzyna Kosinska-Kaczynska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-30 Impact factor: 3.390