Reviewing the features and functionalities of contraception mPHRs

Idri, A (通讯作者),Mohammed V Univ, Software Project Management, ENSIAS, Rabat, Morocco.;Idri, A (通讯作者),Mohammed VI Polytech Univ, MSDA, Benguerir, Morocco.
2022-9
Background and objective. Women's circumstances and preferences tend to change over times signifying that accessing and choosing a contraceptive method during their reproductive life is crucial. By preventing unin-tended pregnancies and reducing the need for abortion, effective contraception ensures women's well-being and autonomy, improves their social and economic role, and enables them to fully participate in society while supporting the health and development of their communities. The use of mobile applications (apps) for contraception is considered a promising approach by which to facilitate access to a reproductive health service of this nature and spread awareness about contraception. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to assess the features and functionalities of the contraception mPHRs (Mobile Personal Health Records) that are available on both the Android and iOS platforms.Methods. In order to select, extract data from and evaluate the features and functionalities of existing contraception apps, an analysis process based on the well-known Systematic Literature Review (SLR) protocol was conducted for the contraception apps that are available on both the Android and iOS app platforms. The analysis and assessment of selected apps' features were performed in accordance with a twenty-seven item assessment questionnaire. The latter was developed on the basis of the scientific literature concerning contra-ception, and a preliminary analysis of the contraception apps currently available.Results. A total of 54 contraception apps were selected, including 38 for Android, 4 for iOS, and 12 for crossed platform apps. The results showed that only 11% of the apps selected do support the World Health Organization's (WHO) medical eligibility criteria for contraception (MEC), and that barely 43% provide relevant information about contraceptive methods, their efficiency, risks, and contraindications.Conclusion. This study will help users, eHealth apps providers, and developers. Users on the one hand will be able to better select the most appropriate contraceptive apps. On the other hand, both eHealth application providers and developers can thereby: (1) identify the relevant features and functionalities implemented by the top-scoring contraceptive apps, and (2) distinguish contraception-related aspects that require further efforts to be properly addressed and improved.
HEALTH POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY
卷号:11|期号:3
ISSN:2211-8837|收录类别:SSCI
语种
英语
来源机构
Mohammed V University in Rabat; Mohammed VI Polytechnic University; University of Murcia; Louisiana State University System; Louisiana State University; Pennington Biomedical Research Center
资助信息
This work was conducted within the research project PEER, 7-246 supported by the US Agency for International Development. The authors would like to thank the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and USAID for their support. Moreover, this research has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) under project RTI2018-098309-B-C33.
被引频次(WOS)
0
被引频次(其他)
0
180天使用计数
0
2013以来使用计数
0
出版年
2022-9
DOI
10.1016/j.hlpt.2022.100633
WOS学科分类
Health Policy & Services
学科领域
循证公共卫生
关键词
Contraception Apps Systematic review MEC for contraception
资助机构
US Agency for International Development(United States Agency for International Development (USAID)) USAID(United States Agency for International Development (USAID)) Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness(Spanish Government) European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF)(European Commission)