Attitudes and knowledge about continuous oral contraceptive pill use in military women.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine attitudes toward oral contraceptive pill (OCP)-induced amenorrhea among U.S. Army women.


METHODS
A volunteer sample (N = 154) of Army Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard women completed an anonymous survey.


RESULTS
Desire for temporary amenorrhea was high with 86% (+/- 6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 83% (+/-6%, 95% CI) desiring amenorrhea during field training and deployments, respectively. Fifty-four percent were unaware that OCPs can induce amenorrhea; only 7% (+/-4%, 95% CI) have used this practice during deployment. If made available with education, 49% (+/-8%, 95% CI) would use this practice. Logistic burdens of menstruation were associated with higher rates of desirability for OCP use with soldiers desiring OCPs rating their inconveniences significantly higher than those who did not desire OCPs (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although a significant number of soldiers desire OCP-induced amenorrhea, a large deficit in knowledge exists. Routine education as an Army-wide standard is warranted.
Powell-Dunford
Nicole C
NC
Department of Family Practice and Emergency Medical Services, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96859, USA.
Deuster
Patricia A
PA
Claybaugh
John R
JR
Chapin
Mark G
MG
D017677:Age Distribution; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral