title: Low prevalence of contraceptive counseling at Srinagarind hospital, Thailand among women of reproductive age with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Unplanned pregnancy in women with SLE can have grave complications both for the child and the woman. We studied the prevalence of contraceptive counseling among women of reproductive age with SLE at a university hospital in Northeast Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recruited: 125 women with SLE, between 15 and 50 years, followed up at the Rheumatology Clinic. A questionnaire was administered and the results analyzed to identify the prevalence of contraceptive counseling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of women with SLE had had their reproductive goals evaluated (76.00%, 95% CI 66-83) and received contraceptive counseling (72%). Among the SLE patients at risk for pregnancy, only one-third used effective contraception and one-fifth of those did not have any background knowledge about SLE and pregnancy. Contraceptive counseling was more frequently given to women who had had a previous pregnancy or who were already concerned about SLE as related to pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of SLE patients had at one time or other received contraceptive counseling, but some reported not grasping the gravity. The survey results presented herein suggest that a multidisciplinary team is needed to improve patient knowledge regarding SLE as it affects on pregnancy and relatedly contraceptive counseling.
authors.forename: Thannaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kittisiam
authors.forename: Yuthapong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Werawatakul
authors.forename: Ratanavadee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nanagara
authors.forename: Orathai
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wantha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011379:Prognosis; D012098:Reproduction; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult