Documented short-term continuation rates for combined hormonal contraceptives in an indigent population with ready access to contraceptive supplies.
OBJECTIVE
One problem women have successfully using combined hormonal contraception is the limited supplies they are dispensed. Patients at the Women's Health Care Clinic at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center have virtually no barriers to method switching, so it is possible to estimate the impacts that more generous prescribing policies have on short-term continuation rates.


METHODS
Anonymous chart review of all women who initiated hormonal contraception between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2005.


RESULTS
Only 40.4% of women had documented use for at least 3 months. Women dispensed supplies for 3 or more cycles at the initial visit were more likely to continue use for 3 months (47.8%) than were women dispensed fewer cycles (31.9%) (P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
More liberal dispensing policies may increase the wastage of combined hormonal contraceptive product, but they significantly increase at least intermediate term use of those methods.
Nelson
Anita L
AL
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.
Pietersz
Dannelle
D
Nelson
LeRoy E
LE
Aguilera
Lucy
L
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D017664:Uncompensated Care
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female