An expert committee decided on five reproductive health topics to be evaluated and specified a checklist of content. We employed selected keywords in search engines. About one of every four of 200 screened websites addressed at least one target topic and were subjected to in-depth assessment. Three medical doctors independently rated each of the selected websites. Accuracy and coverage percentages were calculated for each website.
A total of 168 English- and 32 Persian-language websites were found that addressed the specified topics. The mean accuracy and coverage percentages of the 200 websites assessed were 98.8% and 45.2%, respectively. Thirty-four websites, all in English, achieved a coverage percentage of 80% or more. The top 20 websites found for the general population on reproductive health are reported.
The study concluded that the websites providing comprehensive reproductive health information are not easy to locate from Iran; particularly, Persian-language websites and those targeting young people are scarce. However, the websites identified the accuracy of the information provided was acceptable. There is a need to identify high-quality, easily accessible websites for use by both professionals and the general public and develop new ones.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/34/3/153
