Ally, the pioneering abortion chatbot: Capturing regional variations in self-managed abortion needs.

OBJECTIVE(S): Moving self-managed abortion (SMA) information and counseling onto digital platforms can greatly increase access to safe abortion worldwide. Ally, an SMA information chatbot, was developed to proactively meet target users in the digital spaces they already occupy, enhancing their access to SMA information. This study sought to identify any regional variations in user behavior while navigating our global, multilingual abortion chatbot to help inform strategies that serve a quickly evolving audience in abortion care access.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study utilizes data that have been collected since 2022 from Ally's enhanced tracking platform to analyze user behavior across regions. After cleaning the data and removing outliers, chat durations were categorized into short, medium, and long. Regional engagement was examined, focusing on conversation patterns, popular topics, and drop-off rates. Descriptive and comparative statistics were applied to identify trends in user engagement and regional behavioral differences.

RESULTS

Ally engaged in 95,281 conversations across 172 countries. The chatbot is used differently across regions. Latin American and African users engaged with Ally for longer, more diverse interactions, often seeking detailed information on medical abortion instructions. North American and Asian users, alternatively, seemed to use Ally to fulfill a narrower scope of abortion information, with an emphasis on pill access; thus, their engagement was focused and brief.

CONCLUSIONS

Ally's worldwide usership demonstrates a clear demand for abortion chatbot services. Regional differences in user realities, needs, and preferences call for comprehensive, easy-to-use information and resources about SMA so that diverse users in different countries can find what they need in one place.

IMPLICATIONS: Digital tools enhance access to self-managed abortion counseling and information, especially when made available on diverse platforms. The widespread yet regionally nuanced use of Ally, a self-managed abortion information chatbot, demonstrates the potential of abortion chatbot services and offers insight into user realities, needs, and preferences.