Directed acyclic graph illustrating relationships between information and parameters within the multi-level Bayesian mannequin. Squares are information and circles are parameters. Strong traces are stochastic relationships and dashed traces are deterministic. Credit score: DIGITAL HEALTH (2024). DOI: 10.1177/20552076241298315
A brand new examine by researchers within the UK and Denmark, revealed in Digital Well being, gives the primary publicly accessible evaluation of world downloads for menstrual monitoring apps.
Whereas the marketplace for menstrual monitoring apps is quickly rising, there have been no large-scale analyses about why customers obtain these apps, and notably few research on their use within the International South.
Utilizing information from the Google Play Retailer and Apple App Retailer between April and December 2021, the examine explores why customers obtain these apps within the International South and North.
Three apps—Clue, Flo and Interval Tracker—dominated the market, with over 250 million downloads mixed. Most downloads of menstrual monitoring apps have been concentrated within the International North, however there have been additionally downloads all through the International South, with a very excessive prevalence in South America.
Of the 112 international locations included, the examine discovered that low-income international locations with a better unmet want for household planning and better complete fertility charge are related to extra downloads.
Lead creator Dr. Francesco Rampazzo, Lecturer in Demography at Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Division of Sociology, stated, “Our findings reinforce emerging evidence that menstrual tracking apps are more popular in areas with limited access to reproductive health services and contraception. This highlights the important role these apps may potentially play in improving access to reproductive health information and services, especially in low-income countries.”
The examine employed numerous analytical strategies and a Bayesian mannequin to estimate downloads for 25 menstrual monitoring apps that had at the least 3,000 installations, 10 opinions, and 60 rankings. The authors additionally analyzed opinions left by the customers of those apps between 2009 and 2021.
Utilizing a language processing mannequin, the researchers recognized 19 matters for app utilization, 12 of which have been associated to opinions. Menstrual cycle monitoring was the most typical purpose reported for utilizing these apps (61%), adopted by reaching a being pregnant (22%), a way of group (9%), and avoiding getting pregnant (8%).
Co-author Dr. Alyce Raybould, Analysis Fellow and Survey Supervisor on the College Faculty London’s (UCL) Centre for Longitudinal Research stated, “Our study suggests that while many use these apps to understand more about their reproductive health and menstrual cycles, others are using them to help avoid pregnancies. This warrants further investigation to see how these apps could be affecting outcomes like unplanned pregnancies, given that a very limited number of these apps market themselves as a contraceptive tool.”
The examine exhibits that menstrual monitoring apps are used worldwide, even in low-income international locations, although utilization is decrease in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia, doubtless resulting from web entry and financial boundaries. The authors word that almost all apps are designed with Western assumptions, which can restrict their cultural relevance and effectiveness. This highlights the necessity for analysis into their affect on reproductive well being, notably in areas with restricted well being providers.
Dr. Francesco Rampazzo provides, “Our study highlights the potential of menstrual tracking apps to empower users in managing their reproductive health. By understanding the global trends and motivations behind app usage, we can better address the needs of diverse populations.”
These analysis questions additionally hook up with broader coverage areas, such because the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs) on girls’s reproductive well being and well-being, in addition to their entry to know-how, assets, and knowledge.
Because the examine’s findings are restricted by potential disparities in information availability and high quality between areas, the researchers name for additional analysis to trace modifications in app utilization and its affect on reproductive well being over time.
Given the worldwide reputation of those apps, the authors urge policymakers to take well timed motion, as present analysis raises issues concerning the info disseminated by personal companies and the monetization of individual-level information collected from customers worldwide.
Co-author Dr. Douglas Leasure, Senior Researcher and Knowledge Scientist on the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Oxford Inhabitants Well being’s Demographic Science Unit stated, “While it is encouraging that these menstrual tracking apps could empower women in locations with unmet family planning needs, we also hope these results will spark a conversation about potential risks when private-sector app developers fill in for reproductive health professionals.”
Extra info:
Francesco Rampazzo et al, “UPDATE: I’m pregnant!”: Inferring world downloads and causes for utilizing menstrual monitoring apps, Digital Well being (2024). DOI: 10.1177/20552076241298315
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Examine of menstrual monitoring app utilization highlights potential position in enhancing entry to reproductive well being providers (2024, November 21)
retrieved 21 November 2024
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