title: Current knowledge, attitude, and patterns of oral contraceptives utilization among women in Jordan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies exploring the knowledge, attitude and patterns of OCs use among women in Jordan are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and patterns of oral contraceptives (OCs) utilization among women in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A face-to-face questionnaire inquiring demographic information and issues related to knowledge and use of OCs was completed by women (n = 1571), who have had used OCs at least once in their lifetime. A model was created to assess the effects of knowledge, attitude and previous experience on the patterns of OCs utilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Jordanian women exhibited positive attitudes towards OCs efficacy and safety. This positive attitude was approvingly associated with the patterns of use. However, only half of participating women reported that they knew how to use OCs. About 60% of women received recommendations for OCs use from a physician. Moreover, women's knowledge about OCs mechanism of action was obtained namely from physician (29.9%). Side effects were reported in 75.1% of participating women. Reported side effects were headache (41.2%), mood swings (35.5%), irritability (33.5%) and weight gain (28.7%). Interestingly, the occurrence of side effects was the main reason for OCs discontinuation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that women who have positive attitude toward OCs tend to utilize them more appropriately. However, there is still need for educational programs to enhance knowledge about OCs utilization in Jordan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan. S.bardaweel@ju.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Sanaa K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bardaweel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan. amalakour@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amal A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Akour
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan. vanessa.kilani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Maria-Vanessa Z
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kilani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral