Abstract
Background and Aim: A successful contraception requires sufficient knowledge of contraceptive’s use and its side-effects. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice and use of OCPs in a Saudi female population.
Methods: A survey questionnaire was distributed to Saudi women aged 18 to 49 years old who were using OCPs or have used OCPs, and who were attending the Primary Care Clinics of Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May and December 2017.
Results: Of 285 women surveyed, 23.9% were on OCPs for <1 year, 53.6% for 1-3 years and 22.5% were on OCPs for ≥4 years. The mean total scores in knowledge was 2.07 for compliance (range: 0 – 5), 1.30 for knowledge of side effects (range: 0-6), and the overall knowledge was 3.36(range of 0 – 11). There were 28.4% who have knowledge about compliance in taking OCPs, 14.4% have knowledge of the complications and side effects of OCPs, and 20.0% have knowledge of both compliance and side effects. There were no significant differences in the knowledge of compliance and side effects across different educational levels, however, women who have more children and those between 30-39 years old have better understanding of the use of OCPs.
Conclusion: Knowledge of correct use of OCP’s and its side effects among Saudi women remains to be low. There is a need for health institutions and health care practitioners to intensify information campaigns and awareness programs on the use of OCP’s and contraception.
Keywords: oral contraceptive pills, knowledge, use, side effects, compliance.
References
- Iftikhar R, Aba Al Khail BA. Knowledge about missed contraceptive pills among married women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Patient Preference and Adherence 2015;9: 401-411
- Bezemer ID, Verhamme KM, Gini R, Mosseveld M, Rijnbeek PR, Trifiro G. et al. Use of oral contraceptives in three European countries: a population-based multi-database study. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2016;21(1):81-7
- Mosher WD, Jones J. Use of contraception in the United States: 1982 – 2008. Vital and Health Statistics Series 23. Data from the National Survey of Family Growth. 2010;29:1-44
- Yoshida H, Sakamoto H, Leslie A, Takahashi O, Tsuboi S, Kitamura K. Contraception in Japan: current trends. Contraception. 2016;93(6):475-7
- Along AB, Niotang PN, Kenfack B, Yakum MN, Mbu ER. Knowledge of women in family planning and future desire to use contraception: a cross sectional survey in Urban Cameroon. BMC Res Notes. 2016;18:9:347. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-2155-7.
- Naqnsseu JR, Nchinda EC, Katte JC, Nchaqnouot FM, Nquetsa GD. Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women living in the Mbouda health district, Cameroon. Reprod Health. 2015;12:92. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-2155-7
- Peyman N, Oakley D. Married Iranian women’s knowledge, attitude and sense of self-efficacy about oral contraceptives: Focus group discussion. J Reprod Health. 2011;12(4):281-8
- BardaweelSK, Akour AA, Kilani MV. Current knowledge, attitude, and patterns of oral contraceptives utilization among women in Jordan. BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15:117
- Shahpoorian F, Kashanian M, Shakhan Z, Sheikhansari N. Contraceptive use in women under 20 years of age: A study in Iran. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2014;34(7):625-9
- Almansour R, Sabra A, Hafez A. Contraception: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice with Special Emphasis on Contraceptive Pills among Saudi Women at Al-Khobar City, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine. 2012; 30(2):1-13
- Ahmadi, FQJ, Alqahtani SM, Asiri RMA, Alshehri NSA. Assessment of women ‘ Knowledge regarding compliance and safety of oral contraceptive pills’. International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR).2016;4(11):2133-2140
- Alshaikh G, Alshaikh M, Mohmoud M, Aljodhey Knowledge on adherence and safety of the oral contraceptive pill in Saudi women. Saudi Medical Journal.2012;33(6):665-70
- ElgharbawyRM, Ahmed AS, Alsuhaibani RA. Awareness, Prevalence and Determinants of BirthControl Methods Use among Women in Saudi Arabia. International Archives of Medicine. 2015;8(245):1-11
- Budhwani H, Anderson J, Hearld KR. Muslim women’s use of contraception in the United States. Reprod Health. 2018;15(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12978-017-0439-6.
- AlSheeha M. Awareness and use of contraceptives among Saudi women attending primary care centers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):11-21
- Khraif R, Abdulsalaam A, Al-mutairi A, Elsegaey I, Aljumah A. Dynamics of contraceptive use: A study of King Saud University women staff, Riyadh. Middle East Fertility Society Journal. 2017;22(1):18-26
- Roudi-Fahimi F, Kent MM. Challenges and opportunities – the population of the Middle East and North Africa. Ppul Bull. 2007;62(2):1-21
- Molloy GJ, Graham H, McGuiness H. Adherence to the oral contraceptive pill: a cross-sectional survey of modifiable behavioural determinants. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:838
- Cooling H. Improving compliance with combined oral contraception. Trends in Urology Gynecology and Sexual Health. 2007;12(2):20-22.
Corresponding Author
Dr Maryam Megaeed Alotaibi
Resident, Family Medicine, Family Medicine Center, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966-555095572, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.