title: Internet-Based Information on Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is safe, effective, and recommended as first-line contraception for adolescents. Despite clear medical recommendations, the type and quality of Internet information regarding LARC for teenagers is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through web queries. Resulting websites were assessed for quality criteria and a priori content themes based on the leading medical societies' recommendations for adolescent LARC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 238 websites evaluated, 77% made no recommendation of LARC for adolescent females. Of the 55 websites that did recommend LARC, only 40% specifically discussed its use in the adolescent population. Of note, 16% of websites recommending LARC discouraged their use in adolescents. Quality varied among LARC-discussing websites, ranging from 3 to 13 of the 15 criteria assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few websites offer up-to-date information regarding the use of LARC, and most fail to discuss LARC use at all. As LARC is highly effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies in adolescents, incomplete or inaccurate information on the Internet present a barrier to promoting its utilization in this at-risk population.
authors.affiliation: The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA kari.harris@wesleymc.com.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.affiliation: The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.affiliation: The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ahlers-Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Internet; adolescent contraception; contraception; long-acting reversible contraception (LARC); teen pregnancy prevention