Online contraceptive discussion forums: a qualitative study to explore information provision

Women in the UK spend up to 30 years avoiding pregnancy, and effective use of contraception requires detailed information and support. Online forums offer opportunities to discuss contraception with few restrictions. Analysis of these discussions may generate learning on the information needs and preferences of their users. We analysed contraceptive discussions on forums to explore content, motivation for engaging, behaviours observed and outcomes reported.

We selected 50 threads across five English-speaking public forums, which contained more than 1000 contraceptive-specific threads. We generated a stratified sample of these threads (n=250) and then completed a qualitative thematic analysis.

Forum users seek urgent help, emotional support and the detailed accounts of others. The work of posting on forums is significant and includes framing the question to generate the desired response type, managing responses and assessing their value. Conversations were consistently framed in relation to healthcare and were important for preparing for, understanding and responding to consultations. Most of the technical information was accurate or corrected within the conversation. For most users this enquiry was part of a broader decision-making process and there was no evidence that users planned to make decisions based on forum discussions alone.

Our analysis has implications for healthcare organisations that offer or signpost to online information on contraception. It suggests that improvements in the online 'wrap around' information are needed to help decide when to consult, prepare for the consultation, understand the information given and manage post-consultation questions.