Including a discussion forum in a web-based intervention on fertility and sexuality following cancer - Usage and content

Maria Gottvall; Kristina Fagerkvist; Claudia Lampic; Lena Wettergren

doi:10.1016/j.invent.2022.100559

Including a discussion forum in a web-based intervention on fertility and sexuality following cancer - Usage and content

Internet Interv. 2022 Jul 8:29:100559. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100559. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Authors

Maria Gottvall^{1

2}, Kristina Fagerkvist^{3

4}, Claudia Lampic^{3

5

6}, Lena Wettergren^{3

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of health Sciences, The Swedish Red Cross University College, Box 1059, SE-141 21 Huddinge, Sweden.
² Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
³ Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
⁴ Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, SE-631 88 Eskilstuna, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
⁶ Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, SE-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate how young adult survivors of childhood cancer used an online discussion forum as part of a web-based psycho-educational intervention. Specifically, we aimed to characterize users of the discussion forum, investigate how they used the discussion forum (type of usage) and content of the posted messages.

Methods: This study is a part of a randomized controlled trial, Fex-Can Childhood RCT. Participants with self-reported sexual dysfunction or fertility-related distress were drawn from a population-based national cohort. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the intervention group (n = 322) and data on usage of the discussion forum were analysed with descriptive statistics and compared between subgroups. Messages posted in the online discussion forum were analysed with qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: Approximately half (48 %) of participants in the intervention group accessed the discussion forum and most of them (76 %) without writing own posts. Users of the discussion forum did not statistically differ in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics from the rest of the intervention group. The 97 written posts, written by 38 individuals, were mainly descriptions of own experiences and thoughts and concerned three themes: A changed body, Concerns around family building and Longing for support. Peer-support and interaction between participants were seen in some forum threads and the 'like'-function was frequently used, demonstrating engagement and activity. Participants expressed that they felt affinity with and appreciated sharing own experiences and to recognize themselves in others' stories.

Conclusions: A discussion forum as part of a web-based intervention appears to be a valuable component by giving participants an opportunity to share intimate experiences and concerns related to surviving cancer.

Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry, trial number: 33081791 (registered on November 27, 2019).

Keywords: Childhood cancer survivors; Communication; Fertility; Online discussion forum; Sexuality; Social support.