Feasibility of a Theory-based Waiting Room App for Contraceptive Counseling

Background: Behavioral theory-informed interventions using interactive media and mobile applications (apps) are a promising avenue for engaging young women in informed contraceptive decision-making. This study tests the feasibility of developing a waiting room contraceptive counseling app, miPlan, developed with and featuring young women of color (e.g., African American and Latina).

Methods: A contraceptive counseling app was developed in conjunction with young women of color. The counseling approach was informed by the theory of planned behavior, featured videos of young women from the target population, and addressed contraceptive decision with particular attention to long acting reversible contraception (LARC). The app was then evaluated in a randomized controlled trial of 225 women at community reproductive health centers. Women randomized to the control arm received standard contraceptive counseling. Women randomized to the intervention arm received the miPlan app prior to their counseling session. Chart reviews and follow-up at 3-months was conducted for all women.

Results: We hypothesized that post-intervention, women who used miPlan will report higher contraceptive use, increased self-efficacy for highly effective contraception, higher contraceptive satisfaction, and an increased intention to continue their chosen method, compared to women in the control arm.

Discussion: This study demonstrates that mobile apps developed with user populations are a feasible and useful tool for increasing knowledge and building self-efficacy around contraceptive method use. Additionally, taking advantage of waiting room downtime via a contraceptive counseling app may offer an easily scalable and accessible intervention to aid contraception uptake among young women.