Assessing the awareness and knowledge of the adverse ocular side effects associated with oral contraceptives among women between the ages of 16 and 40 in Benin-city, Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

Oral contraceptives are routinely used by women, because they are effective birth control methods, but few women are aware of their adverse ocular side effects. This study was carried out to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of the adverse ocular side effects associated with oral contraceptive use among women in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study conducted over an eight-month period from February 2023 to September 2023, including 402 women (n = 402). The study employed both self-administered online and printed questionnaires.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 27.76 ± 7.03. A total of 196 had tertiary education, 131 had secondary education and 75 had no educational background. Two-hundred thirty-seven participants were users of oral contraceptives, while 165 had never used them. Of the participants that were users of oral contraceptives, 44 had previously experienced visual problems as a side. The study results reveal that 289 participants (71.9%) were not aware of the potential adverse effects of oral contraceptives, while only 82 participants (20.4%) were aware.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that there is poor awareness of the side effects of oral contraceptives, more specifically, the adverse effects on the eyes. It is recommended that more public health awareness campaigns be initiated, with the goal of accurately educating women about the ocular pathologic risks associated with oral contraceptives. Furthermore, healthcare workers should effectively communicate the risks associated with oral contraceptives to their patients. This can help women looking for contraception options make informed decisions about using oral contraceptives.