Digital Intimacy And Satisfaction in The Use of Cycle Tracker App Amongst Married Women in Jalingo

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study examined digital intimacy and satisfaction in the use of cycle tracker applications among married women in Jalingo, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the growing global reliance on menstrual and fertility tracking apps, despite limited empirical evidence from African contexts on how women emotionally interact with these digital tools. Guided by Caroline Haythornthwaite’s Digital Intimacy Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design and sampled 361 valid respondents from an initial distribution of 385 questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed a high level of app usage, with 75% of respondents actively using cycle tracking applications. The study also established strong digital intimacy, as 74.3% of respondents reported emotional closeness, trust, and personal reliance on their apps. Additionally, 79.5% of participants expressed overall satisfaction with the accuracy, convenience, and privacy the apps provide. The study concludes that cycle tracker applications have become an essential part of women’s reproductive self-management and emotional support systems. It recommends increased integration of digital menstrual tracking tools into reproductive health education and improved data privacy features to strengthen user trust and satisfaction.