Patel, Uma;
Broad, Anna;
Biswakarma, Rina;
Harper, Joyce C;
(2023)
Experiences of users of period tracking apps: which app, frequency of use, data input and output and attitudes.
Reproductive BioMedicine Online
, Article 103599. 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103599.
(In press).
Preview |
Text
1-s2.0-S1472648323006983-main.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Research question: What are the experiences of users of period tracking apps in relation to which apps they use, their frequency of use, the type of data and their attitudes to period tracking apps? / Design: This was an observational mixed-methods study using an online survey designed using Qualtrics XM. The survey included 50 open-ended and multiple choice questions, but only specific questions were analysed in this study. The survey was promoted via social media for 22 days between 30 June and 21 July 2021. / Results: A total of 375 participants responded to the survey, with 326 complete and submitted responses, giving a completion rate of 86.9%.The participants’ age range was 14–54 years, with a mean of 26.0 (±7.81) years. Most participants (62.0%) had been using a period tracking app for 2 years or longer. Of these 85.6% entered more data when on their period, 31% at a frequency of once a day. There were approximately equivalent proportions of participants who felt that entering data into their app was either ‘part of their normal routine’ (43.3%) or ‘not a priority’ (38.0%). Thematic analysis of the participants’ experiences of using period-tracking apps revealed five main themes: symptom tracking and understanding general health; concerns with period start date predictions; the problems with fertility tracking; concerns about cost; and concerns about data privacy. / Conclusions: The infrequency of data inputting and the wide range of symptoms tracked reflects the differing needs of participants from their period-tracking apps. This highlights the need for increased education and research into understanding the realities of variations in using apps.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Experiences of users of period tracking apps: which app, frequency of use, data input and output and attitudes |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103599 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103599 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Keywords: | Apps, Femtech, Menstrual cycle, Menstrual cycle tracker, PMS, Period tracker |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health > Reproductive Health |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10184475 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
