Background
Studies
exploring the knowledge, attitude and patterns of OCs use among women in Jordan
are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and
patterns of oral contraceptives (OCs) utilization among women in Jordan.
Methods
A
face-to-face questionnaire inquiring demographic information and issues related
to knowledge and use of OCs was completed by women (n = 1571), who have had used OCs at least once
in their lifetime. A model was created to assess the effects of knowledge,
attitude and previous experience on the patterns of OCs utilization.
Results
Jordanian
women exhibited positive attitudes towards OCs efficacy and safety. This
positive attitude was approvingly associated with the patterns of use. However,
only half of participating women reported that they knew how to use OCs. About
60 % of women received recommendations for OCs use from a physician. Moreover,
women’s knowledge about OCs mechanism of action was obtained namely from
physician (29.9 %). Side effects were reported in 75.1 % of
participating women. Reported side effects were headache (41.2 %), mood
swings (35.5 %), irritability (33.5 %) and weight gain (28.7 %).
Interestingly, the occurrence of side effects was the main reason for OCs
discontinuation.
Conclusion
The
study showed that women who have positive attitude toward OCs tend to utilize
them more appropriately. However, there is still need for educational programs
to enhance knowledge about OCs utilization in Jordan.
Below: Side effects encountered by women using oral contraceptives
Below: Reasons for oral contraceptives cessation for women in Jordan
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman 11942,
Jordan
2Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical
Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
No comments:
Post a Comment