Prospecção tecnológica de aplicativos móveis sobre métodos contraceptivos: mapeamento, caracterização e análise crítica

Abstract

The advancement of digital technologies has transformed the way people seek health information, especially in the field of sexual and reproductive health. In this context, mobile applications stand out as tools that support family planning, expand access to educational content, and contribute to informed decision-making about contraception. This study aimed to conduct a technological prospection of mobile applications on contraceptive methods available on digital platforms, analyzing their functionalities and content. It is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, carried out on the Play Store platform. The applications were evaluated regarding their technical characteristics, informational content, additional resources, and accessibility. Of the 582 applications identified, 80 met the inclusion criteria, showing a balanced distribution between free and paid versions, predominance of the Spanish language, and unrestricted age classification. Most addressed natural contraceptive methods, presenting average user ratings of 4.5 stars, recent updates, and a lack of interactive features. A scarcity of evidence-based information and low representation of barrier, long-acting, and definitive methods were observed. It is concluded that, although the analyzed applications represent important tools to support reproductive planning, they still require technical, informational, and educational improvements to strengthen users’ autonomy, equity, and the promotion of sexual and reproductive health.