The pill and blood testing in Africa
Buekens, P.
Ippf Medical Bulletin 23(6): 4
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-0357 PMID: 12316118 Document Number: 332742
This paper discusses the use of testing blood before the administration of the pill in the developing countries. A questionnaire was completed by 193 family planning professionals representing 32 African countries. 46 participants from 19 countries suggested that blood testing was either recommended or required in their work places. Blood tested included analysis of blood sugar, glucose tolerance, cholesterol and triglycerides. The usefulness of this procedure is controversial given that few women die from complications related to the pill and many more die from maternal related complications, a large portion which could be prevented by the use of family planning devices such as the pill. Since blood testing prior to the administration of the pill serves little function in developing countries, it becomes a redundant wasteful use of resources with serious consequences to women who need contraceptives and yet are excluded from their use.