Contraception and Family Planning

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ninety percent of American adults have cell phones and half of them download applications (apps). We conducted a review of mobile health apps related to contraception and family planning. The primary objective of our study was to identify the number and type of contraception-related mobile apps and to perform review of content of those apps. METHODS: We searched the iOS mobile platform for the key words related to contraception and family planning between June and July 2014. A total of 289 apps were identified of which 129 were excluded as a result of a lack of contraception related information. We performed review of the remaining apps to identify themes and categories. RESULTS: Of 160 apps with contraception-related content 16 (10%) were primarily targeted toward health care providers. These included journals textbooks and reference guides. A total of 144 (90%) apps targeted toward patients were menstrual cycle trackers (40) birth control reminders (26) games (16) sexual health information apps (40) and apps to locate family planning centers (22). Only 20 patient apps had comprehensive information about multiple birth control methods. CONCLUSION: Mobile apps are an increasingly used means of accessing medical information. Accurate and comprehensive information about contraception is available in few apps. IMPLICATIONS: We are planning to perform clinical studies to identify the usefulness of such apps in clinical care. These studies may help us to understand the role of mobile health apps as a supplement to clinical care.