Online availability of hormonal contraceptives without a health care examination: effect of knowledge and health care screening.
BACKGROUND
The study was conducted to investigate whether the knowledge of women using an online resource to obtain hormonal contraceptives (HCs) without a health care examination is similar to women who obtain HC in the clinic.


METHODS
Women who accessed HC prescriptions online or through a clinic visit were offered an anonymous self-administered survey regarding the contraindications to and possible complications of HC. Tests of equivalence were used to compare the mean scores between the two populations.


RESULTS
Online users (n=243) were older, more affluent, more educated, and more likely to be insured than clinic patients (n=161). The two populations demonstrated equivalent HC knowledge [contraindications (mean score, 95% confidence interval): clinic 81.1% (77.2-85.0%), online 85.0% (82.0-88.0%); complications: clinic 77.6% (72.7-82.6%), online 82.1% (78.8-85.5%)]. The online population remained equivalent or superior to the clinic population in an age-restricted analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who self-select to obtain HC prescriptions online demonstrate at least equivalent knowledge of potential HC risks as women seen in a clinic encounter without a pelvic examination.
Kaskowitz
Alexa P
AP
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Carlson
Nichole
N
Nichols
Mark
M
Edelman
Alison
A
Jensen
Jeffrey
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D000075202:Contraindications; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009922:Oregon; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal