Investigation of the quality and health literacy demand of online information on pelvic floor exercises to reduce stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Background

Many women are embarrassed to discuss pelvic floor exercises with health professionals during pregnancy; instead they search the internet for information on pelvic floor exercises.

Aims

This project investigated the quality and health literacy demand in terms of readability, understandability and actionability of information available on the internet relating to pelvic floor exercises.

Materials and Methods

An analysis was conducted on 150 websites and 43 videos obtained from three consecutive Google searches relating to pelvic floor exercises. Websites were assessed for Health on the Net certification. Readability was assessed using a readability calculator, and understandability/actionability of website and video information was assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for Print or Audiovisual Materials.

Results

Less than one-third (24%) of the websites were certified for quality. The median readability score for the websites was grade 9 and the websites and videos both rated highly for understandability and actionability. The median understandability score for the website information was 87%, and the median actionability score was 71%. The median understandability score of the video information was 95.5% and the median actionability score was 100%. The understandability and actionability of video information was also significantly greater than that for website information (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Clinicians could consider directing patients to video-based resources when advising online pelvic floor exercise resources for women during pregnancy, especially those with lower health literacy.