A survey of women’s experiences of using period tracker applications: Attitudes, ovulation prediction and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours

IF 2.7 Q2 OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Anna Broad, R. Biswakarma, Joyce C Harper
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引用次数: 11

Abstract

Introduction: Using an online survey, the aim of this study was to ask women about their real-life experiences of using period tracker apps, their attitudes towards using their app, the information the app provided regarding ovulation and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours if their period comes earlier or later than predicted. Methods: This mixed-methods observational study was conducted by an online survey of 50 multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The survey was generated with Qualtrics XM® and promoted via social media. It was open to any person who had used a period tracker. Results: From 375 total responses, 330 complete responses were obtained, giving a completion rate of 88.0%. Respondents were aged between 14 and 54, with a mean age of 26.0 (±7.81). When asked what was the best thing about using the app, 29.7% (98/330) of respondents selected ‘To know when I’m ovulating’. Respondents were asked if their period ever started earlier than the app predicted; 54.9% (189/330) said it had and 72.1% (238/330) said it had started later than predicted. When asked how they felt if their period arrived earlier or later than expected, thematic analysis of periods starting earlier revealed four themes: feeling unaffected, being frustrated/unprepared, feeling anxious/stressed and feeling confused/intrigued. Thematic analysis when their period arrived later revealed six themes: anxious/concerned about pregnancy, disappointed about pregnancy, seeking advice/informing healthcare professionals, thoughts about menopause, feeling unaffected and being better prepared. Conclusion: Period trackers need to be clearer on their intended use and reliability, especially for period due date and ovulation. Qualitative analysis shows the impact of inaccurate predictions on aspects of the users’ health. This study calls for period tracker app companies to update their apps to provide transparency to their users about their intended use and capabilities.
一项关于女性使用月经追踪应用程序的经历的调查:态度、排卵预测以及该应用程序预测月经开始日期的准确性如何影响她们的感受和行为
引言:通过一项在线调查,这项研究的目的是询问女性使用月经追踪应用程序的真实经历、她们对使用该应用程序的态度、该应用程序提供的有关排卵的信息,以及如果她们的月经比预测的早或晚,该应用程序预测月经开始日期的准确性如何影响她们的感受和行为。方法:这项混合方法的观察性研究通过对50个选择题和开放式问题的在线调查进行。该调查由Qualtrics XM®生成,并通过社交媒体进行推广。它对任何使用过经期追踪器的人开放。结果:在375个回复中,获得了330个完整回复,完成率为88.0%。受访者年龄在14至54岁之间,平均年龄为26.0(±7.81)。当被问及使用该应用程序的最佳效果时,29.7%(98/330)的受访者选择了“知道我什么时候排卵”。受访者被问及他们的月经是否比应用程序预测的更早开始;54.9%(189/330)的人表示已经开始,72.1%(238/330)表示开始时间晚于预测。当被问及如果月经提前或晚于预期,他们会有何感受时,对提前开始月经的主题分析揭示了四个主题:感觉不受影响、沮丧/毫无准备、感到焦虑/压力以及感到困惑/好奇。月经来潮后的主题分析揭示了六个主题:对怀孕感到焦虑/担忧、对怀孕感到失望、寻求建议/告知医疗专业人员、对更年期的想法、感觉不受影响和做好更好的准备。结论:经期追踪器需要更清楚地说明其预期用途和可靠性,尤其是预产期和排卵期。定性分析显示了不准确的预测对用户健康的影响。这项研究呼吁经期追踪应用公司更新其应用程序,以向用户提供有关其预期用途和功能的透明度。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Womens Health
Womens Health OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY-
CiteScore
2.80
自引率
4.20%
发文量
0
审稿时长
15 weeks
期刊介绍: For many diseases, women’s physiology and life-cycle hormonal changes demand important consideration when determining healthcare management options. Age- and gender-related factors can directly affect treatment outcomes, and differences between the clinical management of, say, an adolescent female and that in a pre- or postmenopausal patient may be either subtle or profound. At the same time, there are certain conditions that are far more prevalent in women than men, and these may require special attention. Furthermore, in an increasingly aged population in which women demonstrate a greater life-expectancy.
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