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INTRODUCTION: This study sought to investigate a possible association between use of social media for women’s health and individuals’ knowledge regarding oral contraception. METHODS: This IRB-approved, anonymous study surveyed English-speaking, female followers of two of the authors’ (V.Y., R.A.S.) well-known platforms on Instagram and YouTube about their oral contraception knowledge and the sources of that knowledge. The 14-question survey collected demographic information and personal experiences with hormonal contraception. It then asked for agreement on a 5-point Likert scale with factual and nonfactual statements about oral contraceptive pills. The sources of information were compared between high- versus low-scoring participants. RESULTS: Two thousand fifty-four women responded. The majority (72.3%) were 25 years or younger; 57.6% were Caucasian; 67.5% had at least college degrees. Nearly 50% were students; the remainder were employed. Incomes were well distributed. Two-thirds had used oral contraceptives but nearly 80% reported searching online prior to filling a prescription. Most frequently missed questions were related to mood disorders, weight gain, and infertility. Comparing those who had less than or equal to two questions correct (42.3%) versus greater than or equal to five questions correct (11.1%), more of the former (56.6%) acquired information from friends and social media than did the latter (28.1%) ( P <.001). CONCLUSION: This survey of young, highly educated, frequent consumers of social media harbored many myths about oral contraceptive use, often originating from friends and social media sources. Recognizing the effect that online influences have on women’s oral contraceptive knowledge may assist providers in their counseling.
Yu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.