Factors Affecting Adherence to Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Objectives: This review paper attempts to identify various factors that affect adherence to oral contraceptives
(OCs)
Methods: We have searched related articles in the following data base through Google scholar advanced
Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, hinari, a Pop Line, Scopus, Science direct, the Cochrane
register of Controlled Trials, and Medline. To identify factors affecting adherence to OCs and their association
with contraceptive continuation.
Results: Many factors influence adherence to OCs. Factors that affect contraceptive failure rates and
probabilities reported in the literature can be divided into three categories: Patient-related factors, factors
related to health care providers and factors related to health care system.
Conclusion: More rigorous research is needed to understand factors affecting adherence to OCs continuation
as well as, Counseling services should be expanded to address physical, social and emotional needs to
improve continuation. Moreover, interventions to improve adherence and health system factors that prevent
clients from using family planning consistently and effectively should also be addressed.