Improvement in contraceptive knowledge after using an online educational resource

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the change in contraceptive knowledge after interaction with a web-based contraception education resource in an online cohort of potential users.

Study design: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of reproductive-aged, biologically female respondents using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Respondents provided demographic characteristics and responded to 32 contraceptive knowledge questions. We assessed contraceptive knowledge before and after interaction with the resource and compared the number of correct answers using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We used univariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify respondent characteristics associated with an increase in the number of correct answers. We calculated System Usability Scale scores to assess ease of use.

Results: A convenience sample of 789 respondents were included in our analysis. Prior to resource use, respondents had a median of 17/32 correct contraceptive knowledge responses (interquartile range [IQR] 12-22). The number of correct answers increased to 21/32 (IQR 12-26, p < 0.001) after viewing the resource; 556 (70.5%) had an increase contraceptive knowledge. In adjusted analyses, respondents who were never married (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.15), or thought decisions about birth control should be made by themselves (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.17-3.26) or in conjunction with a clinician (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.20-3.64) were more likely to have an increase in contraceptive knowledge. Respondents reported a median system usability score of 70 out of 100 (IQR 50-82.5).

Conclusions: These results support the effectiveness and usability of this online contraception education resource among this sample of online respondents. The educational resource could effectively augment contraceptive counseling in the clinical setting.

Implications: Use of an online contraception education resource improved contraceptive knowledge among reproductive-age users.

Keywords: Contraception; Contraceptive education; Education; Usability; Web-based.