Compliance and use behaviour, an issue in injectable as well as oral contraceptive use? a study of injectable and oral contraceptive use in Johannesburg
Beksinska, M.E.; Rees, V.H.; Nkonyane, T.; McIntyre, J.A.
British Journal of Family Planning 24(1): 21-23
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0144-8625 PMID: 9719703 Document Number: 354395
Interviews conducted at two South African family planning clinics (urban Johannesburg and the Orange Farm settlement) assessed method compliance in 400 current users of oral contraceptives (OCs) or injectables. The mean age of study respondents was 26 years in the inner city clinic and 25 years in the informal settlement. The median duration of use was 24 months for injectables and 21 months among OC users. 31.2% of injectable users had either forgotten or been unable to return to the clinic for their next injection on at least one occasion. Among women not wanting to become pregnant, 30.4% of injectable users and 18.4% of OC users had stopped using their method temporarily and had not used any other contraceptive method during this time. Disruption of the menstrual cycle was a major contributing factor to segments of nonuse. Although almost all injectable users experienced some menstrual disturbances, 38.5% had not been informed by a provider about the likelihood of such changes. 26.6% of OC users reported a change in their normal menstrual cycle, but 86% were not told the pill might affect their period. Moreover, 79.5% of OC users had not been counseled about what to do if they missed a pill. Overall, these findings suggest that South African women are not being given adequate information on what to expect from and how to use their method correctly--a lack that may have serious implications for contraceptive compliance.