title: Partner influence on early discontinuation of the pill in a predominantly Hispanic population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although studies have examined U.S. pill users' patterns of discontinuation, little is known about pill discontinuation, and the effects of partner influence, among Hispanics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follow-up data on pill use were collected from 213 predominantly Hispanic women who requested the pill in an urban family planning clinic in 2000. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between a range of factors, including partner and relationship variables, and the odds of discontinuation within one month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall discontinuation rate within one month was 23%. Women who reported that their partner was unaware of their planned pill use had significantly elevated odds of discontinuing use (odds ratio, 3.4). Other variables that were independently associated with increased odds of early pill discontinuation were not taking the first pill during the clinic visit (3.0), feeling happy about the prospect of a pregnancy in the next six months (2.4) and intending to use the pill for one year or less (2.3). Age, which was assessed as a continuous variable, was negatively associated with the odds of early discontinuation (0.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Male partners' awareness of planned pill use may be a marker for the level of communication and commitment in the relationship. Women may choose to disclose their planned pill use to supportive partners, and this may be beneficial to the relationship and the couple's contraceptive use. However, clinicians should take women's circumstances and needs into account before counseling them to tell a partner that they intend to use the pill.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, USA. jkerns@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kerns
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Westhoff
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morroni
authors.forename: Patricia Aikins
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003657:Decision Making; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral