According to a study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University, despite public concerns about information privacy and laws pertaining to reproductive rights, the usage of fertility and period trackers has increased.
The study, which was published this month in the journal Contraception, used survey samples of people who used Femtech—apps and technologies designed to improve women’s health with features like period calendars and conception tracking.
Emily Neiman, the study’s lead author and clinical instructor of practice at the OSU College of Nursing, stated that although there are still questions regarding privacy policies pertaining to period tracking, the results may have a wider implication: users should think about whether they can trust technology to accurately predict or prevent pregnancy.
Researchers used information from the University of Chicago’s NORC (previously the National Opinion Research Center) Survey of Women. According to NORC, the study has been carried out for almost ten years to monitor the prevalence of abortion, access to reproductive health care, and use of contraceptives among women aged 18 to 44 in nine states: Ohio, Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
The survey’s questions have changed to reflect the COVID-19 epidemic and the United States. According to the research center’s website, the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has affected the availability, provision, and results of reproductive health care.
The U.S. ruling was known as the Dobbs decision. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion across the country, was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.
Evaluation teams at Ohio State, the Guttmacher Institute, East Tennessee State, and the University of Maryland get survey data.
The most current Ohio State study compared the usage of period or fertility-tracking technologies and the reasons for use before and after the Dobbs ruling in June 2022 using data from the survey and data from Ohio, Arizona, Iowa, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
According to Neiman, the study started because people were worried that their personal information from fertility and period monitors might be exploited against them. These concerns prompted requests for users to remove the applications and their data from them in Ohio and other places.
According to Neiman, there may be a variety of reasons why people may not have followed the advise to cease using fertility trackers. There may be fewer people planning pregnancies now that abortion is restricted, but it’s possible that more people are using tracking to identify a pregnancy as soon as possible so they have the most alternatives or can seek prenatal care early.
A 2023 state constitutional amendment that protects reproductive rights, including abortion, made abortion legal in Ohio up until fetal viability.
GET THE HEADLINES FOR THE MORNING.
Researchers discovered that, with the exception of Wisconsin, where prevalence remained constant, nationwide, the frequency of technology use increased.
According to the report, 45.2% of women in the five states employed the technology after the Dobbs ruling, compared to 37.4% who did so previously.
Prior to Dobbs, 34.2% of Ohio poll respondents reported using apps; following the ruling, that percentage increased to 44%.
Since 2019, about one-third of individuals who are capable of becoming pregnant have used smartphone or internet-based technologies to monitor their fertility or menstrual cycles, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation nationwide poll.
However, Ohio State researchers discovered that the specifics of what is recorded differ depending on the app and whether it is a free or paid service. According to the report, that includes the information’s accuracy.
According to the study, even though consumers might gain from these technologies, their use could backfire if user-entered data or forecasts are off. Furthermore, there may be risks associated with providing personal health information to period or fertility tracking technology, such as the possibility of privacy violations and data sharing or sale.
In addition to the fact that the Dobbs decision took place during the study period, the substantial increase in period and fertility-tracking use may have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the adoption of mobile health technologies, which reduced access to in-person care and increased reliance on telemedicine.
As these applications become more and more popular, Neiman advised users to learn about the possible drawbacks of the fertility predictions they make and for doctors to bring up the topic of Femtech use with patients.
In order to assist those attempting to avoid unintended pregnancies, we as clinicians and public health experts could be doing a better job of educating individuals about the accuracy of the information they’re receiving from these technologies, Neiman said.
OUR WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY YOU.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.