Approaches Used to Improve Adherence to Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this review the approaches for improving oral contraceptives (OCs) adherence.
Methods: The search strategy involved the use of the following data bases: Cochrane Library, Pubmed,
hinari, a Pop Line, Scopus, Science direct, the Cochrane register of Controlled Trials. Types of study are
original Research studies, RCTs, systematic reviews, full text articles.
Results: Adherence is a shared responsibility of patients, clinicians, and manufacturers; the patient and
clinician are the focal points for these efforts. Counseling must be individualized, which requires knowledge
of factors that predict adherence and understanding of the patient’s decision making process as it relates to
medications.
Conclusion: Improving adherence and preventing early discontinuations is a shared responsibility of OCs
users, health care providers, and OCs manufacturers. Manufacturers should recognize that the provision
of written materials that are both informative and easy to understand can improve patient compliance.
Continued improvements in OCs formulations are important in reducing unwanted side effects. However,
our findings suggest that providers are the focal point for helping women to become more successful OCs
users.