title: A comparative evaluation of oral contraceptive use and associated compliance issues in a rural population.
abstract: One hundred thirty-three patients were enrolled in a study designed to evaluate and compare oral contraceptive use in three rural communities. The patients averaged 31 years old (range, 13 to 49 years); 92% were white, 4.5% Hispanic, and 3% Native American. Genora, Ortho-Novum, and Triphasil were the most frequently prescribed oral contraceptives. Triphasic oral contraceptives accounted for one third (n = 64) of 203 prescriptions, and conventional monophasic preparations accounted for two thirds. Twenty percent (n = 26) of the patients studied were non-compliant. The most frequent causes of noncompliance cited were cost and inconvenience. However, generic alternatives were requested in only 43% of the cases for which generic equivalents were available. Less-expensive alternatives (eg, generic products, medroxyprogesterone acetate injection) should be advocated to deter patient noncompliance because of cost issues. Drug interactions and adverse effects were not reported in our patient population and thus did not contribute to noncompliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D009329:Nebraska; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012424:Rural Population; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016312:Treatment Refusal
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal