Effect of a Smartphone Application on Oral Contraceptive Adherence in College Females

Effect of a Smartphone Application on Oral Contraceptive Adherence in College Females: a Randomized-controlled Trial.

This research study is to see if smartphone applications help college women remember to take birth control better than pharmacist consultation alone. Patients will participate in this study for 6 (six) months. The study will have two groups. Patients will be randomly assigned to one group or the other. The control group will be counseled by the pharmacist on the importance of taking birth control as prescribed. The study group will get the same counseling, but will also be set up to receive reminders to take medication on a smartphone application called Dosecast.

Inclusion Criteria:

• female gender
• 18-29 years of age
• current prescription for an OCP
• currently enrolled as a student at the institution associated with the pharmacy
• possession of a compatible smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant patients
• Patients who become pregnant during the study will discontinue, but their data up until time of discontinuation will be used
• Patients using other forms of contraception (patch, injection, IUD, intra-vaginal ring, implant).