Evaluating the Quality of Websites Offering Information on Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Abstract

This study evaluates websites relevant to female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Its primary aim is to evaluate the quality of Internet HSDD information. One hundred and one websites, identified through simple Google searches, were scored using a tool incorporating expert consensus-derived quality criteria for HSDD. The tool included structural criteria such as currency, authorship, and disclosure of competing interests. It also included performance criteria, evaluating accuracy, and comprehensiveness, and was adapted from a published website evaluation tool for diabetes. For each website, a quality index score with a potential range from 1 to 5 (1 = poor, 5 = excellent) was calculated, and the websites were rank ordered using this score. Quality index scores ranged from 1.68 to 4.64, with 75% of websites scoring at or below 3.27. Test-retest reliability was moderate (n = 24, r = 0.6601, P = .0004). Rank ordering of the websites by quality index allowed identification of the top five highest quality websites. The majority of HSDD websites' quality scores fell in the score range from 1 to 3, indicating room for improvement in the quality of websites that address HSDD. Website evaluation tools utilizing both structural and performance quality criteria may help clinicians to assist their patients in assessing the quality of Internet health information.

Online Information on Painful Sexual Dysfunction in Women: Quality Analysis of Websites in SPANISH about Dyspareunia, Vaginismus and Vulvodynia

“…Dyspareunia: readability was classified as "normal" with a median of 55.3 (57.2-50.9). One (3.4%) site was classified as "very difficult" (<40), 14 (48.2%) as "somewhat difficult" (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55), and 14 (48.2%) as "normal" (55-65) to read.…”

“…Vaginismus: readability was "somewhat difficult", with a median of 52.9 (55.6-46.4). Two (6.2%) websites fell into the "very difficult" category (>40), 21 into the "somewhat difficult" category (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55), and nine (28.1%) were considered "normal" to read (55-65).…”

“…Vulvodynia: readability was "somewhat difficult", with a median of 54.2 (57.3-47.2). Two (6.6%) sites were classified as "very difficult" (>40), 17 (56.6%) as "somewhat difficult" (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55), eight (26.6%) as "normal' (55-65), and three (10.0%) as "fairly easy" (65-80) to read.…”

“…The quality of information on dyspareunia, vaginismus, and vulvodynia was "very low". An article published in 2007 evaluated the quality of 101 websites on hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women [46]. Based on the method designed and described by Seidman et al [47], they developed a tool to assess websites in terms of description of methods and validity, updating of information, and navigability.…”

“…Based on the method designed and described by Seidman et al [47], they developed a tool to assess websites in terms of description of methods and validity, updating of information, and navigability. The results of that study indicated a low quality of the web pages on this type of sexual dysfunction, despite the use of a different procedure for the evaluation of the information [46]. Importantly, the low quality of the information in the websites could directly influence the development and prognosis of the health condition of affected women, in addition to hindering the acquisition of tools to improve their perceived self-efficacy and therapeutic adherence [13,21,48,49].…”