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Can apps reduce rates of teen pregnancy?
In addition to being used for “smart phone physicals,” reference, and symptom tracking (How apps are changing family medicine. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:362-367), apps have the potential to help with medication adherence. The United States has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the industrialized world1 and inconsistent contraceptive use is common among adolescents. Recognizing that adolescents are high users of mobile technology,2 we set out to identify and describe contraceptive reminder apps in hopes of reducing the rate of teen pregnancy.
We identified and assessed 16 contraceptive reminder apps for compatibility with different devices and contraceptive methods, reminder options, informational content, languages, cost, and consumer reviews. Eleven apps include reminders for oral contraceptive pills (OCPs); 4 can be used for OCPs, the patch, and the contraceptive ring; and one is specific to the patch. Reminder types vary and US adolescents are high users of mobile technology, but uses include alarms, short message services, push notifications, local reminders, and emails; 9 of the apps feature customizable reminders. Three apps provide information about missed doses, and one includes information about emergency contraception. All are free or low cost.
We found several contraceptive apps to be particularly useful, and 2—myPill (for Apple devices) and the Contraceptive Pill (for Androids)—that particularly stand out.
myPill can be used for OCPs, patch, or ring; features 22 different languages; has several custom reminder options; provides information about managing missed doses; and has high consumer ratings. The Contraceptive Pill has similar features, although it has fewer reminder options and is available in fewer languages than myPill.
We urge providers caring for adolescents to stay abreast of contraceptive reminder apps and to discuss them during counseling sessions. Given the prevalence of smartphone use among adolescents, these apps have the potential to improve contraceptive consistency.
Diana N. Carvajal, MD, MPH; Mindy R. Brittner, MD; Susan E. Rubin, MD, MPH
Bronx, NY
1. Singh S, Darroch JE. Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing: levels and trends in developed countries. Family Planning Perspectives. 2000;32:14–23.
2. Pew Research Center. Teens and technology 2013. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf. Accessed April 29, 2013.
In addition to being used for “smart phone physicals,” reference, and symptom tracking (How apps are changing family medicine. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:362-367), apps have the potential to help with medication adherence. The United States has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the industrialized world1 and inconsistent contraceptive use is common among adolescents. Recognizing that adolescents are high users of mobile technology,2 we set out to identify and describe contraceptive reminder apps in hopes of reducing the rate of teen pregnancy.
We identified and assessed 16 contraceptive reminder apps for compatibility with different devices and contraceptive methods, reminder options, informational content, languages, cost, and consumer reviews. Eleven apps include reminders for oral contraceptive pills (OCPs); 4 can be used for OCPs, the patch, and the contraceptive ring; and one is specific to the patch. Reminder types vary and US adolescents are high users of mobile technology, but uses include alarms, short message services, push notifications, local reminders, and emails; 9 of the apps feature customizable reminders. Three apps provide information about missed doses, and one includes information about emergency contraception. All are free or low cost.
We found several contraceptive apps to be particularly useful, and 2—myPill (for Apple devices) and the Contraceptive Pill (for Androids)—that particularly stand out.
myPill can be used for OCPs, patch, or ring; features 22 different languages; has several custom reminder options; provides information about managing missed doses; and has high consumer ratings. The Contraceptive Pill has similar features, although it has fewer reminder options and is available in fewer languages than myPill.
We urge providers caring for adolescents to stay abreast of contraceptive reminder apps and to discuss them during counseling sessions. Given the prevalence of smartphone use among adolescents, these apps have the potential to improve contraceptive consistency.
Diana N. Carvajal, MD, MPH; Mindy R. Brittner, MD; Susan E. Rubin, MD, MPH
Bronx, NY
In addition to being used for “smart phone physicals,” reference, and symptom tracking (How apps are changing family medicine. J Fam Pract. 2013;62:362-367), apps have the potential to help with medication adherence. The United States has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the industrialized world1 and inconsistent contraceptive use is common among adolescents. Recognizing that adolescents are high users of mobile technology,2 we set out to identify and describe contraceptive reminder apps in hopes of reducing the rate of teen pregnancy.
We identified and assessed 16 contraceptive reminder apps for compatibility with different devices and contraceptive methods, reminder options, informational content, languages, cost, and consumer reviews. Eleven apps include reminders for oral contraceptive pills (OCPs); 4 can be used for OCPs, the patch, and the contraceptive ring; and one is specific to the patch. Reminder types vary and US adolescents are high users of mobile technology, but uses include alarms, short message services, push notifications, local reminders, and emails; 9 of the apps feature customizable reminders. Three apps provide information about missed doses, and one includes information about emergency contraception. All are free or low cost.
We found several contraceptive apps to be particularly useful, and 2—myPill (for Apple devices) and the Contraceptive Pill (for Androids)—that particularly stand out.
myPill can be used for OCPs, patch, or ring; features 22 different languages; has several custom reminder options; provides information about managing missed doses; and has high consumer ratings. The Contraceptive Pill has similar features, although it has fewer reminder options and is available in fewer languages than myPill.
We urge providers caring for adolescents to stay abreast of contraceptive reminder apps and to discuss them during counseling sessions. Given the prevalence of smartphone use among adolescents, these apps have the potential to improve contraceptive consistency.
Diana N. Carvajal, MD, MPH; Mindy R. Brittner, MD; Susan E. Rubin, MD, MPH
Bronx, NY
1. Singh S, Darroch JE. Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing: levels and trends in developed countries. Family Planning Perspectives. 2000;32:14–23.
2. Pew Research Center. Teens and technology 2013. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf. Accessed April 29, 2013.
1. Singh S, Darroch JE. Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing: levels and trends in developed countries. Family Planning Perspectives. 2000;32:14–23.
2. Pew Research Center. Teens and technology 2013. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf. Accessed April 29, 2013.