Effect of age on U.S. gynecologic patients’ use of social media for women’s health information

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare use, timing, and perceived benefit of social media for women’s health information between different aged gynecologic patients. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional survey of patients presenting to a U.S. academic gynecology clinic over three months in spring 2021. We compared social media use for women’s health information among patients of different age groups. ResultsMost respondents use social media to learn about women’s health (57.0 %), believe women’s health information should be available on social media (92.4 %), and find it helpful in making health decisions (58.5 %), without significant differences by age group. With each increasing decade of age, patients increasingly reported actively searching for women’s health information rather than passively finding it on a feed (p = 0.024 for overall comparison) and using social media for health information specifically around doctor’s visits (p = 0.023 for overall comparison), and less commonly reported trusting social media influencers (p = 0.030 for overall comparison). ConclusionReproductive and non-reproductive aged patients all highly utilize social media for women’s health information, however there are differences in usage patterns by age. Practice ImplicationsUnderstanding social media use patterns can facilitate direction to and creation of accessible, medically-accurate and patient-friendly content.