Optimisation of an online self-assessment tool for preconception health: user feedback and user-experience testing in people of reproductive age in Australia. (Preprint)

Abstract

Good preconception health reduces the incidence of preventable morbidity and mortality for women their babies and future generations. In Australia there is a need to increase health literacy and awareness about the importance of good preconception health. Digital health tools are a possible enabler to increase this awareness at a population level. The Healthy Conception Tool (HCT) is an existing online, preconception health self-assessment tool, that has been developed by academics and clinicians.

To optimise the HCT and seek user feedback with the aim of increasing engagement and impact of the tool.

In depth interviews with women and men aged 18-41 years, who spoke and read English, residing in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed, and findings were used to inform an enhanced HCT prototype. This prototype underwent user-experience testing and feedback from users informed a final round of design changes to the tool.

Twenty women and five men were interviewed; all wanted a tool that was quick and easy to use with personalised results. Almost all participants were unfamiliar with the term “preconception care” and stated they would not have found this tool online with its current title. User-experience testing with six women and five men identified eleven usability issues. These informed further changes to the tool’s title, the information on how to use the tool, and the presentation of results.

Online self-assessment tools need to be easy to find and communicate health messages effectively. End-users' feedback informed changes to improve the tool’s acceptability, engagement, and impact. We expect that the revised tool will have greater reach and prompt more people to prepare well for pregnancy.