University of California at San Francisco

Despite recent increases of American women using reversible contraception, only about nine percent use intrauterine devices (IUDs), a highly effective method of contraception. One factor appears to be negative information about IUDs received from friends and family. This grant would support research to test whether women in an online social network who receive positive information from other women who currently have IUDs will be more likely to use the method. The project will involve creation of small online social networks with varying concentrations of current IUD users to determine whether and at what point contact with satisfied users affects individual decision making.