Analysis of "drop-outs" in oral contraceptives
Bhathena, R.K.; Kanitkar, S.D.
Current Medical Practice 15(10): 972-975
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0011-3700 PMID: 12306181 Document Number: 32827
This article emphasizes the authors' experience with a rural family planning program. Most acceptors were of low economic status and mostly illiterate. A negligible number had previous experience with contraception. After a clinical examination, 373 women were each given a monthly supply of Ovulen. Field workers paid regular follow-up visits to encourage regularity in taking the pills and to note side effects. 133(32%) stopped taking the pills. Of those under age 20 years, 87% dropped out; of those 21-25 years, 30% dropped out; of those 26 or older, 25% discontinued. 65% of women with 1 child stopped; 50% of those with 2-4 discontinued; 35% of women with 6 or more children stopped. Of the 133 "drop-outs," 49 had complaints related to medication and 30 discontinued for these reasons. In 15 instances patients were lost to follow-up. 17 discontinued because of husbands' objections. No religious reasons were given. Some elders in the villages objected. In 20 instances planned pregnancies were desired and in 19 pregnancy occurred as a result of irregular pill use. Other reasons were sterilization or marital break-up. More than 60% of those who discontinued for medical reasons did so after the 1st cycle. It was found that 239 of the women were lactating. There were no drop-outs due to scanty lactation. Results of the survey are considered encouraging. The women were not as adverse to taking pills as they were to physical trauma such as tuvectomy or IUD insertion. The method should be promoted. Free distribution of pills is recommended as the people were very poor.