Adherence to Oral Contraception in Young Women: Beliefs, Locus of Control, and Psychological Reactance

Abstract

Background: There is a high dropout rate of oral contraceptive pills (OCP), mainly due to a lack of adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to identify the psychological processes and attitudes toward medication involved in adherence to OCP, depending on the prescription, to avoid unintended pregnancies (AUP) or gynecological problems (GP). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by asking 689 young women in the fertile period, mean age 23.41 (SD = 5.90), to complete questionnaires related to attitudes, beliefs, psychological reactance, locus of control, and adherence to contraceptive medication. Descriptive analyses and a binary logistic regression were performed. Results: The results confirmed that different beliefs and psychological processes were involved in adherence to oral contraception, based on women’s reasons for taking contraceptive medication. More psychological processes were involved in non-adherence in the AUP group than in the GP group. Psychological reactance contributed most to explaining non-adherence in women who used the OCP to prevent unintended pregnancies. Conversely, women with gynecological problems reported difficulties in adherence, mainly due to their beliefs about contraceptive pills. Conclusions: These findings indicate that attitudes toward medication and psychological processes can play an important role in adherence to OCP, including reasons for using the pill. Identifying the psychological factors and beliefs linked with contraception could guide health professionals to provide counseling to women, thus increasing their adherence to medication and maximizing their health and well-being.

Efficacy and Safety of Paracervical Block in Reducing Intrauterine Device Insertion Related Pain : A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Although IUCD is represented as one of the most effective birth control options, it is still less commonly used compared with less effective methods including pills and condoms [11] .…”

Oral contraceptive pills shortage in Lebanon amidst the economic collapse: a nationwide exploratory study

“…Almost one-third of the study participants reported being affected by the rising OCPs' prices, where some of them could not afford the price and were forced to search for cheaper alternative brands or to discontinue taking OCPs. Such behavior may threaten women's reproductive health and expose them to unplanned pregnancies [49,50]. Therefore, a judicious strategy should be implemented in Lebanon to rein in out-of-control drug prices and address the drug shortages that are putting a tremendous strain on the healthcare system and patient care.…”

Minor concerns underlying contraceptives: Are they valid?

“…Several studies reported some delay in return to fertility in OCs users. However, it was temporary and limited to the early few months of discontinuation [4]. Moreover, the return to fertility in women who were using OCs, both cyclic and continuous, was comparable to other methods of contraception [4].…”

“…However, it was temporary and limited to the early few months of discontinuation [4]. Moreover, the return to fertility in women who were using OCs, both cyclic and continuous, was comparable to other methods of contraception [4]. Women returned to normal menses or got pregnant within the duration of 1 year [23,24] The usage of antibiotics with HC Some studies found that antibiotics usage (other than Rifampin) is associated with decreased effect of OCs [23].…”

“…Misconceptions regarding the adjacent use of antibiotics and the lack of knowledge in the fields of non-contraceptive benefits [2] will always raise a false flag for patients when provided with the option of using hormonal therapies. Weight gain, Mood changes especially due to mental pathologies including but not restricted to bipolar disorder and depression, Libido, and the return to fertility are some of the common concerns regarding the use of HC [3], [4]. Although male contraceptives has been discussed in the medical trials, their existence remains to be seen as the industry seems uninterested in that subject [5] Therefore, this review will mainly discuss female HC and try to answer some of the most common questions repeatedly asked by concerned females regarding their use.…”