The Reported Side Effects Of Hormonal Contraception By Women Of Reproductive Age In Selected Hospitals In Enugu: Truth Or Myth

Many unwanted pregnancies and its associated complications have resulted from refusal of some women of reproductive age to the use of contraceptives in general particularly the hormonal contraceptive in our environment. The fear of side effects, religious belief, ignorance and other myths surrounding the use of contraceptives had contributed to this. The main objective of the study was to find out if the reported side effects of hormonal contraceptives by women of reproductive age in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria, are truth or myth. It was a combination of prospective and retrospective study with interviewer administered questionnaire to assess socio-demographic data, reasons why some women were not using hormonal contraceptives, side effects and benefits of hormonal contraceptives. From the 410 respondents, the study showed that 232 respondents (56.6%, X2=7.686) of respondents used hormonal contraceptive which was significant (p<0.05). 178respondents (43.4%) respondents did not use hormonal contraception. 76.0% of the hormonal contraceptives users had side effects while 24.0% did not. Irregular menses (44.4%) was the commonest side effect.130 respondents (73.0%) gave reasons such as religious belief, ignorance, fear of side effects etc as preventing factors to the use of contraceptives. The study showed that 69.8% of users were not discouraged by side effects and 81.1% agreed to recommend it to their friends and family relatives because of its numerous benefits. While it was true from the study that hormonal contraceptives was associated with some side effects of which some disappeared without intervention within 3-5 months of use (35.1%), and others were taken care of through medical interventions, some myths(religious belief, ignorance, husband approval, etc) were also limitations against hormonal contraceptives use.