Impact of an Online Birth Control Support Network on Unintended Pregnancy

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of Bedsider.org—an online birth control support network—on unintended pregnancies among young women aged 18–29. Bedsider is the centerpiece of a comprehensive digital effort to encourage women to use birth control more consistently and effectively and consider using more effective forms of birth control over time. A sample of 2,284 women was randomly assigned to be exposed to Bedsider or to a control group (no exposure) condition. Women were surveyed throughout a 12-month period. Women in the Bedsider exposure group were less likely to have a pregnancy scare, an unintended pregnancy, or unprotected sex compared to the control group. Additionally, women in the Bedsider exposure group were more likely to use a more effective method of contraception over time compared to the control group. Future studies are needed to examine the dose–response relationship for exposure to Bedsider.org and for whom the intervention is most effective.