Abstract
Objective
To evaluate public's interest in contraceptive options following heightened focus
on a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since the 2016 United States presidential
election.
Study design
We monitored the fraction of Google searches emerging from the United States for the
three most popular reversible contraceptive methods — oral contraceptives, intrauterine
devices (IUDs) and condoms — from January 1, 2004, through October 31, 2017 (1 year
after the presidential election).
Results
IUD searches were cumulatively 15% (95% CI: 10 to 20) higher than expected the year
following the 2016 election, reflecting 10 to 21 million excess searches. IUD searches
were statistically significantly higher in all states, except NV, and were consistent
across states won by Trump or Clinton (Welch t test=0.60, p=.548). Conversely, searches for oral contraceptives and condoms remained
stable (0%; 95% CI: −2 to 1) or declined (−4%; 95% CI: −5 to −2), respectively, following
the election.
Conclusions
The etiology of increased searches for IUDs is likely multifaceted. However, it may
largely be because IUDs will confer continued protection even after an ACA repeal,
thereby providing a medical hedge against a possible repeal. Regardless, these data
suggest the heightened focus on an ACA repeal is a concern to the record number of
Americans seeking out information about IUDs.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 14, 2019
Accepted:
October 29,
2018
Received in revised form:
October 29,
2018
Received:
September 10,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Published by Elsevier Inc.
