eprintid: 10147959
rev_number: 9
eprint_status: archive
userid: 699
dir: disk0/10/14/79/59
datestamp: 2022-05-06 13:21:26
lastmod: 2022-05-12 11:20:36
status_changed: 2022-05-06 13:21:26
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
sword_depositor: 699
creators_name: Broad, Anna
creators_name: Biswakarma, Rina
creators_name: Harper, Joyce C
title: 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
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: G13
divisions: D11
divisions: B02
keywords: Menstrual cycle, ovulation, period, period app, period tracker, Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Attitude, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Mobile Applications, Ovulation Prediction, Pregnancy, Reproducibility of Results, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult
note: © 2022 by SAGE Publications Ltd. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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.
date: 2022-01
date_type: published
official_url: https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221095246
oa_status: green
full_text_type: pub
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
verified: verified_manual
elements_id: 1952443
doi: 10.1177/17455057221095246
medium: Print
lyricists_name: Harper, Joyce
lyricists_id: JHARP65
actors_name: Flynn, Bernadette
actors_id: BFFLY94
actors_role: owner
full_text_status: public
publication: Women's Health
volume: 18
pagerange: 1-16
event_location: United States
citation:        Broad, Anna;    Biswakarma, Rina;    Harper, Joyce C;      (2022)    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.                   Women's Health , 18    pp. 1-16.    10.1177/17455057221095246 <https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221095246>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10147959/1/17455057221095246.pdf