A brief survey of digital media access among pregnant teens (806.12)

Abstract

Adolescents have greater access to accurate and relevant health information via the internet. The aim of this study was to briefly describe the availability and use of digital media among pregnant teens. A total of 32 girls (aged 13‐18) between 12 and 30 weeks of gestation enrolled in an intervention to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation across pregnancy. Volunteers completed a short survey on internet use, participation in social media and interest in learning about prenatal care. Teens were racially diverse (48.5% Black, 24.2% White, 24.2% other, and 3.0% American Indian) and 48.5% of teens were enrolled in WIC. All but one teen had internet access with the majority of teens using the internet on home (43.8%, n=14) or library (15.6%, n=5) computers. More than half (59.4%) of the teens used the internet daily while 15.6% and 18.7% of teens accessed the internet one to a few times per week and a few times per month or less, respectively. Digital communication was popular such that 71.9% (n=23), 54.8% (n=17) and 65.6% (n=21) of teens reported the use of Facebook, email and personal cell phones, respectively. Half (n=16) of the teens with phones had cellular internet access and all had phones with text messaging. When asked if teens would like to receive information to promote healthy pregnancies, 87.5% (n=28) of respondents said yes. Preferences for receiving this information were 53.1%, 18.8%, 18.8% and 3.1% for text messages, paper, email and Facebook, respectively. Pregnant teens value digital media and leveraging the use of social media and internet resources may be affordable and effective ways of informing this high risk group about prenatal care.Grant Funding Source: Supported by AFRI Grant No. 2012‐67017‐30216 and 2012‐67012‐19815