Smokers over age 35 continue to receive oral contraceptives. Survey of patients in a family practice residency practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency with which women over age 35 report both current oral contraceptive use and current cigarette smoking.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of women in a single practice setting.


METHODS
Primary care teaching practice in a mid-sized US city.


METHODS
142 women aged 35-55 who had not reached menopause and had not had hysterectomy.


METHODS
Smoking status in current oral contraceptive users.


RESULTS
19 women (13%) were current oral contraceptive users and 46 (32%) were current smokers. Four of the oral contraceptive users (21%) reported current smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite reported cardiovascular risk, women who smoke continue to receive prescriptions for oral contraceptives. Physicians should redouble efforts to record smoking status and offer smoking cessation treatment to women over age 35 who smoke and wish to take oral contraceptives.
Ruger
J A
JA
The University of Kansas School of Medicine--Wichita Family Practice Residency Program at Wesley Medical Center, KS, USA.
Moser
S E
SE
Frisch
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007615:Kansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral