Increased use of oral contraceptives in Spain: related factors and time trend, 2003-2006.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine the prevalence of consumption of oral contraceptives (OCs) among women living in Spain and to identify the factors associated with this consumption.


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional epidemiologic study on consumption of OCs by women aged 16-50 years resident in Spain. As the dependent variable, we took the answer to the question, "In the last two weeks, have you taken the contraceptives pill?" Independent variables were sociodemographic, comorbidity, and healthcare resources. Using logistic multivariate regression models, we have analyzed the temporal evolution of OCs consumption between 2003 and 2006.


METHODS
We used secondary individualized data drawn from the 2003 (n=5,807) and 2006 (n=9,103) Spanish National Health Surveys.


RESULTS
In 2003, the 4.99% of women reported having taken the contraceptive pill; this proportion increased to 9.44% in 2006 (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis highlighted the association between OCs use gynecologist visits (odds ratio [OR]=5.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.52-12.79 in 2003, and OR=5.09, 95% CI=2.87-9.02 in 2006); cervical smear test (OR=2.98 95% CI=1.83-4.85 in 2003 and OR=1.79 95% CI=1.28-2.50 in 2006); and risk variables such alcohol consumption or hypertension in the year 2006 (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.05-2.22).


CONCLUSIONS
We can conclude that there was a significant increase in OC use among women living in Spain from 2003 to 2006. The OC consumers in our study were young women who visited the gynecologist and took preventive measures such as smear testing, although they did have risk variables associated with OC, such as alcohol use and arterial hypertension.
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. pilar.carrasco@urjc.es
Pilar
P
Carrasco-Garrido
Valentín
V
Hernández Barrera
Rocio
R
Martin-Lopez
Ana
A
López de Andrés
Jesús
J
Esteban Hernandez
Rodrigo
R
Jiménez-García
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003267:Contraception / Q000639:trends; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral