An assessment of the quality of information available on the Internet about the IUD and the potential impact on contraceptive choices

This study analyzed data gathered from a survey of online information on the intrauterine device (IUD) to determine the content and quality of information available to consumers and providers, as evidenced by the presence or absence of a series of attributes measuring the accuracy and objectiveness of information provided. While information on the IUD is consistently available on websites providing information about birth control options, there is a great deal of misinformation about the IUD on the Internet. A substantial percentage of sites, designed for both healthcare providers and consumers, state that the IUD increases risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. This misinformation can effectively limit access to the IUD, so it is vital to monitor the quality of information available to consumers online and encourage clinicians to take an active role in correcting misperceptions among their patients. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.