Quality of web-based family-building information for LGBTQ individuals

Abstract

Objective: The number of patients who seek health information on the internet is increasing. Rates are particularly high among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, due to health care barriers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and inclusivity of web-based information pertaining to LGBTQ family building.

Methods: The first 100 US-based websites pertaining to LGBTQ family building were identified through a terminology-based internet search. After eliminating 45 websites, 55 websites were found to be eligible. The 2016 Website Information Reliability Evaluation Instrument (of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services) was used to analyse the quality of information on each website. Websites were analysed for inclusivity of important topics surrounding LGBTQ family building.

Results: A total of 46 websites (83.6%) belonged or were related to reproductive services and served as advertisements for their respective owners; nine websites (16.4%) belonged to third parties. No website met more than four of the six major reliability criteria, and 42 websites (76.4%) met only one or two of the six major reliability criteria. When inclusivity was considered, 29 websites (52.7%) mentioned options for transgender individuals and nine websites (16.4%) mentioned adoption.

Conclusions: There is a lack of reliable web-based information for LGBTQ family building and a need for improvement in quality and scope. Improvements could lead to a shift in reproductive health care towards better inclusion of and catering to LGBTQ individuals.

摘要：

目的:通过互联网查询寻求健康信息的患者数量正在不断增加。由于医疗障碍, 女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋、变性人和同性恋者(LGBTQ)在人群中的比例特别高。本研究的目的是评估与LGBTQ家庭建设有关的网络信息的质量和包容性。

方法:通过基于术语的互联网搜索, 确定了与LGBTQ家族建设有关的前100个美国网站。在删除了45个网站之后, 发现55个网站符合条件。2016年网站信息可靠性评估工具 (美国卫生及人类服务部疾病预防及健康促进办公室)用于分析每个网站的信息质量。分析了网站对围绕LGBTQ家族建设的重要主题的包容性。

结果:共有46个网站(83.6%)属于或与生殖服务有关, 并为其各自所有者宣传;9个网站(16.4%)属于第三方。在六项主要可靠性标准中, 没有一个网站达到四项以上, 42个网站(76.4%)只达到六项主要可靠性标准中的一项或两项。考虑到包容性时, 29个网站(52.7%)提到了变性人的选择, 9个网站(16.4%)提到了采用。

结论:LGBTQ家庭建设缺乏可靠的基于网络的信息, 需要改进质量和范围。这种改善可能会导致生殖保健转向为更好地融入和服务于LGBTQ人群。

Keywords:

• Information-seeking behaviour
• internet
• parenting
• pregnancy
• reproductive health
• transgender people

Acknowledgements

Preliminary data were presented at an ACOG conference in San Diego, CA, 6–9 May 2017.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

AF received a grant from the American Austrian Foundation.