title: Disparities in knowledge and interest about benefits and risks of combined oral contraceptives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study aimed at identifying counselling topics relevant to young women, at comparing their perceived and actual knowledge about combined oral contraceptives (COCs), and at determining the appropriate scope of counselling material about benefits and risks of COCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty women aged 18-24 completed an online questionnaire assessing information needs and knowledge about 25 medical conditions under consideration as potential counselling items (benefits, risks and myths) and preferences about counselling material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents were unable to identify non-contraceptive benefits of COCs or potential severe health risks and had some misconceptions. They rated their knowledge of specific COC effects significantly lower than their corresponding interest in the effect. In contrast, the assessment of how well participants felt they were informed about benefits and risks was rated predominantly as 'rather well'. Eleven items were identified as relevant to patients, the most relevant being cancer-related effects of COCs whereas there was less interest in thrombotic risk. Participants preferred detailed counselling materials and considered gynaecologists, patient information leaflets and the internet as their major sources of information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While most women were confident of being knowledgeable about COCs, many were unaware of their knowledge gap. Healthcare professionals should proactively educate about items relevant to their patients. Counselling materials provided by the gynaecologist seem to be an appropriate communication channel. Additional efforts are needed to improve knowledge of the thrombotic and other risk associated with COCs.
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. claudia.vogt@charite.de
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D020407:Internet; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined