The Use of Social Media for Preconception Information and Pregnancy Planning among Young Women

International attitudes towards medical and planned oocyte cryopreservation

PURPOSE

This study aims to better understand the knowledge and attitudes of men and women internationally towards oocyte cryopreservation (OC).

METHODS

An online 25-question survey was distributed internationally via email and social media. Knowledge and attitudes towards OC among different regions and genders were assessed. The study population consisted of adults from North America (NA, 15.7%), Southeastern and Eastern Europe (SE, 34.7%), Central and Western Europe (CWE, 12.7%), Asia (12.7%), and Middle East (ME, 8.9%).

RESULTS

A total of 496 respondents initiated the survey and the completion rate was 80.2%. The mean (SD) age was 35.2 (12.1) years. Over 70% were aware of OC, but only 4.8% had previously undergone the procedure. Most considered ages 26-31 as optimal for OC and correctly identified conditions that could impact the chance of spontaneous conception. Significant differences were observed regarding etiologies that would render OC acceptable. Only in NA and ME did solid majorities strongly agree that it is acceptable to proceed with OC to allow more time to find the right partner or for professional opportunities. More similar opinions were observed between genders. When medical conditions existed, large majorities across all nationalities and genders strongly agreed that OC is acceptable. In NA, SE, and ME most respondents would consider or recommend OC for any reason, whereas most respondents in CWE and Asia would do that only for certain social reasons or medical necessity.

CONCLUSION

A good understanding of OC was observed. Nationality appeared to impact opinions on appropriate indications for this procedure, though overall positive attitudes were documented.

The preferences of people in Australia to respond and engage with advertisements to promote reproductive health: Results of a discrete choice experiment

Objectives

The health of people prior to pregnancy impacts pregnancy outcomes and childhood health, making the preconception period an important time to optimise health behaviours. Low awareness of the importance of this issue is a recognised barrier to achieving good preconception health. Public health messaging can help to address this barrier.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment to assess the preferences of people of reproductive age for a health promotion advertisement for preconception health was conducted. Attributes of the advertisement image, title, additional text content and positioning, and the location of advertisement were assessed by fitting a mixed logit model to the choices made.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-four responses were obtained, from people of reproductive age, both planning and not planning a pregnancy, in Australia. Participants placed most importance on the image, and the location in which they saw the advertisement. An image of adult and baby hands was preferred to adult hands only, and healthcare settings were preferred to more general media locations such as advertising online or on public transport. Preference was also given to the advertisement title of "Healthy you, Healthy baby", closely followed by "Are you ready for pregnancy?". The location and content of additional text did not significantly impact engagement with the advertisement.

Conclusion

The image and title on the advertisement, and the locations in which they are placed were the most significant features to impact engagement with a health promotion advertisement for preconception health. This can inform health promotion efforts for preconception health.

Trends in prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancies in Zambia (2001-2018)

BACKGROUND

Unintended pregnancies can pose significant public health concerns for both maternal and child health because of their associated risks and implications. Experience of unintended pregnancies may lead to delay in seeking antenatal care, thus leading to increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Globally, the prevalence of unintended pregnancies has declined. However, the problem remains acute in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with an experience of unintended pregnancy among women of reproductive ages in Zambia.

METHODS

This study used secondary data from the Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHSs) which were conducted between 2001 and 2018. A pooled weighted sample of 4,090 pregnant women of reproductive age 15-49 years at the time of the survey was included in the analysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed to examine the association between independent correlates and experience of unintended pregnancy. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software.

RESULTS

Findings show that the proportion of women of reproductive age who experienced unintended pregnancy in Zambia declined from 50.4% (95% CI: 47.1, 53.8) in 2001 to 45.2% (95% CI: 40.5, 49.9) in 2018. The decline in the prevalence of unintended pregnancy is more pronounced among women age groups 25-29 years and 30-34 years. Increasing age was associated with an increased risk of experiencing unintended pregnancies. On the other hand, women who were living in rural areas (aOR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.00) and those with tertiary education (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.80) were less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy. Women who desired a large family (aOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.85) and those who watched television (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.94) had lower odds of experiencing unintended pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

The study has established that the prevalence of unintended pregnancy is still high in Zambia. Women's age, place of residence, level of education, desired family size and exposure to media were associated with the risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy. Enhancing access to family planning services and commodities targeting women with low education levels will be key to further reduce unintended pregnancies.

Popular contraception videos on TikTok: An assessment of content topics

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the contraception content topics on the highly popular social media platform TikTok to understand this influential information source patients may bring into birth control counseling visits.

STUDY DESIGN

Utilizing a snapshot method, we collected the 100 most popular TikTok English-language videos for each of the eight contraception-specific search terms. We abstracted video content topics addressed and creator attributes. Two independent abstractors coded each video with high agreement, with a third coder adjudicating discrepancies.

RESULTS

The final data set included 700 unique videos, with a total of 1.18 billion views, 131 million likes, 1.5 million comments, and 4.1 million shares. In these videos, the most common topics addressed were patient experience (n = 365, 52.1%) and logistics of use (n = 351, 50.1%). Health care professionals created only 19.3% of videos (n = 135), but these videos accounted for a larger portion of the total video views (41.3%). Health care professionals largely made educational videos (92.6%) compared to 22.5% of videos coded as educational videos when made by perceived non-health care professionals. A small number of prolific video creators developed the majority of videos made by health care professionals, with 91 (67.4%) made by six TikTok creators.

CONCLUSIONS

TikTok contains highly accessible contraception content, which garners high viewership, especially when created by health care providers. Clinicians should be aware of TikTok's potential to influence patients prior to contraceptive counseling visits and recognize this platform as a public health instrument to disseminate contraceptive information to a key demographic.

IMPLICATIONS

Few previous studies have examined the presence and popularity of contraception content topics on TikTok; little is known about the health content on this highly popular platform. Providers should be aware of the contraceptive topics on TikTok for understanding both patient perceptions and the potential for health education through this media.

Oh Baby! A Content Analysis of Contraception Pins on Pinterest

BACKGROUND

Social media platforms have become a popular source for health information despite concerns about the quality of content shared. We examined how oral contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices are framed on the platform Pinterest using the Health Belief Model (HBM), as well as how fertility awareness methods are portrayed as an alternative to hormonal contraception.

METHODS

We collected pins in February 2021 using searches for birth control, oral contraceptives, and intrauterine devices. After excluding paid ads and pins not relevant to contraceptive use, we conducted a content analysis of 404 pins using a coding framework grounded in the HBM. We carried out descriptive statistics for all variables in the final sample.

RESULTS

Following coding, we found that 54.7% of pins mentioned oral contraceptive pills, 41.58% mentioned intrauterine devices, and 11.63% mentioned fertility awareness methods. Fertility awareness pins had the highest percentage of benefits conveyed (70.21%), followed by intrauterine devices (44.05%), then oral contraceptive pills (38.91%). Pill pins had the highest percentage of barriers conveyed (52.94%) and fertility awareness had the least (25.53%). Side effects were the most mentioned barrier among pill (37.10%) and intrauterine device pins (23.21%). Very few pins were made by (2.48%) or originated with medical institutions (5.45%).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral contraceptive pills are often negatively framed on Pinterest, whereas intrauterine devices and fertility awareness methods are more positively framed. This suggests a need for clear communication from clinicians regarding all contraceptive options and their relative merits and risks.

Preconception care knowledge and information delivery modes among adolescent girls and women: a scoping review

Purpose: The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review of knowledge and information delivery modes related to preconception care (PCC) among adolescent girls and women Methods: A scoping review was performed on studies selected from five electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL/EBSCO, and ProQuest), published between 2012 and 2022, with predetermined keywords and criteria. We included English-language research articles available in full text and excluded irrelevant articles.Results: This study included eight articles, comprising seven quantitative studies and one qualitative study conducted among adolescent girls and women. Five were from low- and middle-income countries and three were from high-income countries. The synthesized themes generated from the data were PCC knowledge and PCC information delivery modes and effectiveness. In general, adolescent girls and women were found to have basic PCC knowledge, including risk prevention and management and a healthy lifestyle, although more extensive knowledge was found in higher-income countries than in lower-income countries. The delivery modes of PCC information have grown from individual face-to-face conventional methods, which are used predominantly in lower-income countries, to more effective digital mass media.Conclusion: Globally, many women still have insufficient knowledge regarding PCC, as not all of them receive access to PCC information and support. PCC promotion efforts should be initiated earlier by involving a wider group of reproductive-age women and combining individual, in-group, face-to-face, and electronic delivery modes.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health: an Australian cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

To understand Australian women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours surrounding preconception and pregnancy health and their preferences for information about these periods.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Making healthy changes can optimise preconception and pregnancy outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines inform preconception and pregnancy care in Australia. Women often have access to multiple sources of information on reproductive and pregnancy health.

PARTICIPANTS

Women of reproductive age were asked to complete a web-based survey. The survey development was informed by preconception guidelines, consensus statements and the national pregnancy care guidelines. The survey was distributed through social media, local and national networks from 2017 to 2018.

RESULTS

Completed surveys were received from 553 women.The majority (80.4%) had high educational attainment. Checking immunisation status and ensuring good mental health were rated as equally important actions both preconception (65%) and during pregnancy (78%). Limiting sedentary activities was not rated as an important action to take either preconception (36%), or during pregnancy (38%). Although women have good knowledge about the impact of weight on their own health outcomes (eg, gestational diabetes), there was less knowledge about adverse outcomes for babies like stillbirth and preterm birth. Women access many sources for reproductive health information, however, the most trusted source was from healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

Most women of reproductive age in Australia have knowledge of the key health recommendations for preconception and pregnancy. However, there are gaps related to lifestyle behaviours particularly connected to weight gain and outcomes for babies. There is a strong preference to receive trusted information from healthcare providers through multiple resources.