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Comparative Study
. 2015 Jul;29(4):360-71.
doi: 10.1111/ppe.12201.

Design and Conduct of an Internet-Based Preconception Cohort Study in North America: Pregnancy Study Online

Lauren A Wise  1   2 , Kenneth J Rothman  1   3 , Ellen M Mikkelsen  4 , Joseph B Stanford  5 , Amelia K Wesselink  1 , Craig McKinnon  1 , Siobhan M Gruschow  1   2 , Casie E Horgan  1 , Aleta S Wiley  1 , Kristen A Hahn  1 , Henrik Toft Sørensen  4 , Elizabeth E Hatch  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Design and Conduct of an Internet-Based Preconception Cohort Study in North America: Pregnancy Study Online

Lauren A Wise et al. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Background: We launched the Boston University Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) to assess the feasibility of carrying out an Internet-based preconception cohort study in the US and Canada.

Methods: We recruited female participants age 21-45 and their male partners through Internet advertisements, word of mouth, and flyers. Female participants were randomised with 50% probability to receive a subscription to FertilityFriend.com (FF), a web-based programme that collects real-time data on menstrual characteristics. We compared recruitment methods within PRESTO, assessed the cost-efficiency of PRESTO relative to its Danish counterpart (Snart-Gravid), and validated retrospectively reported date of last menstrual period (LMP) against the FF data.

Results: After 99 weeks of recruitment (2013-15), 2421 women enrolled; 1384 (57%) invited their male partners to participate, of whom 693 (50%) enrolled. Baseline characteristics were balanced across randomisation groups. Cohort retention was similar among those randomised vs. not randomised to FF (84% vs. 81%). At study enrollment, 56%, 22%, and 22% couples had been trying to conceive for < 3, 3-5, and ≥ 6 months, respectively. The cost per subject enrolled was $146 (2013 US$), which was similar to our companion Danish study and half that of a traditional cohort study. Among FF users who conceived, > 97% reported their LMP on the PRESTO questionnaire within 1 day of the LMP recorded via FF.

Conclusions: Use of the Internet as a method of recruitment and follow-up in a North American preconception cohort study was feasible and cost-effective.

Keywords: Internet; fertility; methods; mobile apps; prospective studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow Chart of Enrollment and Follow-up in PRESTO (2013–2015)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Total number of female participants enrolled in PRESTO (2013–2015) *Peaks at 33 (n=110), 35 (n=90), and72 (n=80) weeks are result of PRESTO participant posting on Reddit.com
Figure 3
Figure 3
PRESTO: Cost per participant enrolled and total number enrolled, by vendor a aIncludes paid advertising only. Women were permitted to report more than 1 way of hearing about the study (2% of women reported >1 source). “Mommy blogs” includes Birthing Beautiful Ideas (11 participants at $6.82 per participant enrolled), Boston Mamas (0 participants for total of $450 for advertising), and BostonMoms (0 participants for total of $400 advertising). ”Magazines” includes Boston Parents’ Paper (6 participants at $125 per participant enrolled), The Knot (1 participant at $500 per participant enrolled), and Improper Bostonian (4 participants at $750 per participant enrolled).
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