Knowledge and attitudes of Latin American gynecologists regarding unplanned pregnancy and use of combined oral contraceptives

Introduction

Unintended pregnancy is a public health problem worldwide, both in developing and developed countries, that may pose burdens on children, women, men, and families, and contribute to maternal, infant, and child mortality. Also, it is responsible for a percentage of unsafe abortion in countries in which abortion is not legal as in most Latin American (LA) countries.¹ It is estimated that in the year 2012, almost 213 million pregnancies occurred, and the global pregnancy rate decreased only slightly from 2008 to 2012.² It was also estimated that 85 million pregnancies (40% of all pregnancies) were unintended and that 38% ended in an unintended birth.^2,3

A study that evaluated pregnancy rates by intention and outcome showed a worldwide decline of 17% of unintended pregnancy in both developed and developing countries from 1995 to 2008. Also, in 2008, a worldwide estimate showed that four out of ten pregnancies were unintended, with a higher proportion in South American countries and south Saharan Africa, where six in ten pregnancies were unintended.^2,3

Family planning programs have an important role in the reduction of unintended pregnancies. The prevention of unintended pregnancies is a cost-effective strategy for health services,⁴ and it depends on coordinated actions on various fronts. It is desirable that governments take action to improve reproductive health services, including efficient family planning programs that offer contraceptive methods at an affordable cost, having adequate facilities, and training health care professionals (HCPs) in family planning, among other initiatives. HCPs play an important role in the reduction of the rate of unintended pregnancies, and this role is influenced by the knowledge, attitudes, and myths of these professionals regarding contraceptive methods.

Presently, there is no doubt that long-acting reversible contraceptives (intrauterine contraceptives and implants) have a higher contraceptive efficacy than combined oral contraceptives (COCs), vaginal rings, or patches^5,6 because shorter-acting methods are user-dependent. The contraceptive efficacy for typical use is higher than for perfect use because daily or periodic attention of the user is required.⁵ Nevertheless, COCs are the first contraceptive that many women use after sexual debut and the main contraceptive option in many settings, with a prevalence of almost 25% in several LA countries.⁷ The use of any contraceptive method is influenced by both patients’ and doctors’ fears, myths, and misperceptions. Furthermore, knowledge regarding the risks is frequently higher than knowledge regarding the benefits among HCPs and women.⁸ In a Brazilian study, obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) reported that women frequently were afraid that hormone intake could affect their body, provoke infertility, increase weight, and in general were worried that hormones could affect their health.⁹ Furthermore, in a Canadian-based study, it was reported that 52% of the interviewed women indicated that they did not know what HCPs advised about the use of COC and the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.¹⁰

It is important that OBGYNs and other HCPs are aware of the updated scientific information regarding contraceptive methods because better-informed HCPs are able to transmit correct information to users and potential users and, consequently, improve the quality of typical use. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the knowledge and attitudes of a group of LA OBGYNs regarding unintended pregnancies and some aspects of the use and prescription of COCs.

Material and methods

Design

The study was conducted in the second quarter of 2014, during a scientific meeting in Chile that was specifically designed to provide information about contraceptive methods. All the participants were OBGYNs from 12 LA countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela) who provided regular consultation in contraception in their clinical practice. The study protocol received approval from the Ethical Committee of the University of Campinas, Brazil. The objectives of the study and the voluntary nature of participation were explained to all the participants in the meeting, making it clear that by answering the questions, the OBGYNs were consenting to participate in the study. This procedure for obtaining consent was approved by the Ethical Committee.

Data collection

All the participants in the meeting were invited to respond to a multiple-choice questionnaire through an electronic system during the meeting at the end of each lecture. The questionnaire was designed to provide demographic information regarding the nationality, age, sex, training, and clinical experience in family planning of the participants. After characterization data were collected, the participants provided feedback on the lectures that they attended during the meeting. For this manuscript, the questions selected were related to unintended pregnancy worldwide and knowledge about some aspects of COCs, such as COC use and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the risk of several cancers.

The questions were developed specifically for this study by the researchers and reviewed by an expert group of LA OBGYNs who did not participate in the meeting. The participants who agreed to take part in the study were provided with electronic keypads to answer the multiple-choice questionnaire. There were five questions for each issue, and five answer options based on the contents of each lecture. The questions on each theme had to be completed in ~3 minutes because after that time period, the system automatically blocked the ability to answer. After that, the system provided the audience with the response percentage for each question. One of the authors coordinated the explanation of the survey, as well as the distribution and collection of the electronic keypads. To guarantee anonymity, the keypads were only identified with a number.

Data analysis

Initially, a descriptive simple analysis was performed on the dependent variable to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding unintended pregnancy and COC use. Then, dependent variables were evaluated, taking into account age (≤49 years, ≥50 years), sex (male/female), and the sector in which the OBGYN worked (exclusively public, both private and public). The statistical tests used, according to the data obtained, were the Pearson’s χ², Yates’ χ², and Fisher’s exact tests. The software used was SPSS v20.0. The significance was established at P<0.05.

Results

The total number of the OBGYNs participating in the meeting was 210, and the number of respondents to each question ranged from 153 (72.8%) to 191 (90.9%). The mean (± standard deviation) age of the OBGYNs who participated in the survey was 48.7±10.6 years (ranged from 30 to 72 years). Eighty-eight (41.9%) were female, and 122 (58.1%) were male. Practicing only in the public sector was reported by five (2.4%), OBGYNs practicing only in the private sector was reported by 81 (38.6%), and practicing in both the public and private sectors was reported by 112 (55.3%).

Awareness about unplanned pregnancies

When the OBGYNs were asked about the prevalence of unintended pregnancies, most of them answered that African countries have the highest rate, followed by LA countries, with the exception of OBGYNs who worked in both the public and private sectors. The majority of these physicians responded that the rate in LA countries was similar to those in other developing countries. Furthermore, the majority of the OBGYNs, independent of age or sex, reported that the incidence of unintended pregnancy is higher among adolescents and that it has a social impact. Also, the OBGYNs were asked why women had elective abortions, and the majority answered that most of the women who had elective abortions did so because they did not use contraception or had used it incorrectly (Table 1). No significant differences were observed regarding age, sex, or the sector in which the OBGYN worked.

Table 1 Questions and answers regarding unintended pregnancies Abbreviation: LA, Latin American.

Knowledge and attitudes about COCs

The second group of questions related to knowledge about some aspects of COC use. Only ~50% of the HCPs were aware of COC failure rates given typical use, and those who were younger, were female, and worked in the public sector were more accurate regarding this figure. According to ~50% of the interviewed HCPs, ~30% of COC users forget at least one pill, and ~45% of the HCPs reported that women do not know what to do when they forget to take a pill (Table 2). Only the age variable of the OBGYN (≥50 years old) significantly affected the answer regarding the proportion of women using COCs who forget to take them (P<0.046).

Table 2 Questions and answers regarding some aspects of use of COCs Abbreviations: COC, combined oral contraceptive; OBGYNs, obstetricians and gynecologists.

Furthermore, the OBGYNs were asked if women were aware of the non-contraceptive benefits of COC use, and most of the respondents answered that less than 20% were aware of these benefits. They also reported that their patients are seeking dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) relief, the reduction of acne and hirsutism, no weight increase, and a reduction in both bleeding flow and number of menstrual cycles in equal numbers. Additionally, the HCPs reported that dysmenorrhea and the relief of PMS, as well as a reduction of acne and hirsutism, are the main benefits they considered when prescribing COCs (Table 3). Again, no significant differences were observed regarding age, sex, or the sector in which the OBGYN worked.

Table 3 Questions and answers about benefits of COCs Abbreviations: COC, combined oral contraceptive; OBGYN, obstetrician and gynecologist; PMS, premenstrual syndrome.

Regarding the block of questions about VTE and cancer risk related with COC use, it was observed that almost all of the HCPs were aware of the VTE risk associated with COCs. However, most of them were not aware of the relationship between the length of COC use and the risk of VTE, although most of the respondents were aware of the incidence of VTE among COC users. Finally, between 12% and 25% of the respondents had doubts about the relationship between COC use and cancer risk, with no significant differences regarding age, sex, or the sector in which the OBGYN worked (Table 4).

Table 4 Questions and answers about risks associated with COC use Abbreviations: COC, combined oral contraceptive; OBGYN, obstetrician and gynecologist; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

Discussion

It is estimated that in developed countries, unintended pregnancies accounted for more than 40% of pregnancies,^11–13 and at least one-third of the ~180 million pregnancies that occur annually in developing countries are unintended.¹³ In many settings, unintended pregnancies are a consequence of the high cost of contraceptives, poor knowledge among women regarding contraception, inadequate distribution of contraceptives, myths (mainly associated to hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine contraceptives), a lack of HCPs available to provide this kind of service, or a lack of HCP training regarding the provision of contraceptives, mainly for those that require the active participation of a HCP, such as long-acting reversible contraceptive methods.^6,14,15

Unintended pregnancies commonly end in elective abortion, and in most of the LA countries, abortion is not legal. Therefore, the procedure has frequent health consequences, and when it is available, it is only available in a restricted manner.¹³ The OBGYNs interviewed in this study stated that women who opt for abortion often either did not use or incorrectly used contraceptive methods.

Furthermore, many unintended pregnancies occur due to contraceptive failure. In the case of COC use, although the contraceptive is highly effective given perfect use (consistent and correct), its effectiveness is lower given typical use, mainly due to the fact that its efficacy is dependent on daily attention and that women frequently forget one or more pills during the cycle intake.^16–19

Our survey showed that almost 50% of the participating OBGYNs did not know the failure rate for COCs given typical use, although almost 90% of the OBGYNs responded that between 30% and 70% of their patients forget to take at least one pill per cycle, and almost 50% reported that COC users do not know what to do when they forget a pill. Any system that may help women to not forget their pill intake is welcome.

Most of the participants reported that less than 20% of COC users are aware of the non-contraceptive benefits of the method. Furthermore, the benefits the interviewed OBGYNs were interested in when they prescribed COCs were in general similar to those they reported that women were seeking. The non-contraceptive benefits that the OBGYNs reported are well-known and supported by scientific evidence only for some COC preparations.^20–22 It is already well-established that not all of the COCs currently on the market improve dysmenorrhea or PMS, and that not all of them reduce acne or hirsutism.^20–22 Regarding weight gain and hormonal contraceptive use, there is a large body of evidence that weight gain is associated with lifestyle and is not associated with contraceptive intake.²³

In our survey, none of the OBGYNs reported that they prescribe COCs with the aim of reducing ovarian or endometrial cancer, and almost one-quarter reported doubts about the cancer prevention benefits of COC use. This was more common among older male OBGYNs working in the public sector. The use of COCs has been associated with a protective effect against ovarian and endometrial cancer, and it is estimated that the reduction is ~50% for 15 years of use. Although the protective effect declines as time passes, a significant effect was observed even a long time after the cessation of use. For endometrial cancer, the relative risk reduction is estimated at ~70% for 12 years of use, with a decrease upon further use. Even after discontinuing the use of COCs, the risk only begins to rise >20 years after last use.²⁴

A recent US-based study²⁵ conducted with 236 OBGYNs and family practitioners, of whom 93.6% prescribed hormonal contraceptives, assessed knowledge about hormonal contraceptives and cancer prevention. This study showed that 73.6% of the respondents were aware of the decreased risk of endometrial cancer with COC use and the increased risk among obese patients (95.5%). However, only 36.8% consistently counseled their patients regarding obesity-associated cancer risk. Furthermore, 51.5% of the OBGYNs reported ovarian or endometrial cancer prevention as a benefit of COCs use and were likely to identify risk factors associated with endometrial cancer. In that study, OBGYNs did not commonly prescribe COCs for ovarian and endometrial cancer prevention.

The OBGYNs that participated in the present survey were aware of the incidence and risk factors associated with COC use, including VTE; nevertheless, most of them were not aware of the fact that the risk is higher during the first months of use and declines significantly with continuous use.^26–27 VTE is one of the main risks associated with COC use; however, its incidence during COC use is lower than during pregnancy and puerperium.

It is imperative that OBGYNs understand the benefits and risks of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive use because well-informed HCPs are able to translate this scientific knowledge for their patients and increase the acceptability, continuation, and effective use of contraceptives that require daily or periodical attention, such as COCs; furthermore, HCPs can help patients to overcome common myths and misconceptions.^8–10

The role of OBGYNs in COC use is very important because counseling is crucial for adherence and correct use. Counseling must be a constant activity, one that is not only performed during the initial period of contraceptive use, in order to inform women about potential and expected side effects and non-contraceptive benefits. It is also crucial to adopt a new contraceptive method with at least the same contraceptive efficacy immediately after the discontinuation of an old one. It is important that HCPs, mainly OBGYNs and family practitioners, are aware of the low risk and high benefits of the use of many contraceptive methods. COCs are not the exception in this regard.

Conclusion

Our survey showed that the interviewed LA OBGYNs correctly identified unintended pregnancy as an important health issue. Regarding COCs, they reported that a percentage of their patients frequently forget to take a pill and that women habitually do not know what to do in the case of missed pills. They were not prone to prescribe COCs to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, and almost one-quarter had doubts about the association between pill intake and the risk of cancer development. OBGYNs should counsel their patients regarding the various aspects of COC intake, such as what to do in case of missed pills, risks, and non-contraceptive benefits. In order to provide adequate counseling, it is necessary that OBGYNs be updated regarding all aspects of COC use. Despite the small sample size for a big region like LA, there are some concerns about the knowledge regarding COCs of this sample of OBGYNs. Our results could be useful to medical schools, scientific societies, and national and regional policy makers to increase a continued medical education in this matter, as well as to improve the use of existing national family planning guidelines and the World Health Organization guidelines about contraceptive methods.^28,29

Author contributions

All authors were involved in the design and development of the study and took part in either drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors gave final approval of the version to be published.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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