A recent study published in the Saudi Medical Journal has revealed interesting shifts in the contraceptive preferences of women over the span of eight years at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Instituted with the aim to comprehend how women’s contraceptive choices evolved based on age and time, the results of this observational, retrospective cross-sectional study present crucial insights for public health policymakers and healthcare providers.
Study Outline and Methodology
The comprehensive analysis encompassed 2742 patients attending the hospital’s family planning services between two separate periods: the initial four years termed as Group I (n=1371), and the latter four termed Group II (n=1371). During the study, researchers meticulously evaluated the favored birth control approaches in each demographic, tracking variances over the study term.
DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.1.20230348
Key Findings
Coitus Interruptus Dominates: Despite modern advancements, the age-old method of coitus interruptus remained the overarching choice across all age groups. Specifically, 70.9% in the 18-24 age group, 65.4% in the 25-40 group, and 48.8% in the 41-53 group employed this method.
Breastfeeding Trends: Women’s breastfeeding habits were also examined, with 11% in the 18-24 age bracket, 5% in the 25-40 bracket, and 1.7% in the 41-53 bracket breastfeeding during the study term. Of those breastfeeding, a striking 74.5% did not use any contraception.
Interpretation of Results and Recommendations
The findings accentuate a significant knowledge gap in family planning and contraception among couples in the country. Nonetheless, there’s a ray of hope as contraceptive use has seen an upsurge, potentially linked to the augmented education level among women and improved access to sexual health services.
Implications for Public Health Policy
The persistent preference for coitus interruptus could suggest an inadequacy in accessible and comprehensive sexual health education. In response, the study’s insights might incite enhancements in public health campaigns aimed at stimulating knowledge about effective and more reliable birth control options.
Analysis and Expert Insights
Modern Contraception Vs. Traditional Methods
According to Dr. Merve A. Talmac, lead author of the study, “Our findings suggest that although traditional methods like coitus interruptus are still prevalent, there is a slow but steady shift towards more modern methods.” The research team advocates for targeted educational programs to inform women about available contraception options.
Importance of Sexual Health Education
Improved sexual health education could empower women to make informed choices about family planning, potentially leading to a decrease in the utilization of traditional and less effective methods. The findings resonate with the global push for enhancing reproductive health education as elaborated in the works of Teal and Edelman (2021) on contraception selection and adverse effects.
Wide-Ranging Benefits of Effective Contraception
Promoting effective contraception is not merely a reproductive health measure. As underscored by Jensen (2011), reliable birth control encompasses wider benefits, including enhanced economic and educational opportunities for women, reduced maternal and infant mortality rates, and strengthened family well-being.
Barriers to Access and Education
It’s noteworthy that despite the progress outlined in the study, barriers remain. Expert research has highlighted the hindrances faced by women in accessing reproductive health services. The emotional and logistical obstacles have been delineated in scientific literature, manifest in the experiences of primary care patients seeking reproductive health services, as discussed by Manze et al. (2020).
A Global Context
The significance of these findings holds weight on a global scale, echoing concerns around barriers to contraception access, particularly during periods of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by Biswas and colleagues (2022).
Moving Forward
It is essential that healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers absorb these findings into their strategies to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services for women. Approaching contraception as an integrative part of holistic healthcare could shift the norms and preferences, promoting a healthy and informed society.
Addressing the Knowledge Gap
Educational initiatives should aim to demystify misconceptions around modern contraceptive methods and underscore their efficacy and safety. National health systems, as corroborated by Alsaleem et al. (2018), must play a pivotal role in disseminating trustworthy information and making contraception more accessible and acceptable.
Future Research
Further research should continue to monitor and understand contraception trends. Longitudinal and ethnographic studies could offer added depth to the understanding of cultural, religious, and social factors affecting contraceptive use.
Conclusion
This eight-year retrospective study has unmasked valuable insights into the contraceptives preferences of women in Saudi Arabia. As the nation and the world continue to evolve, these findings offer an essential foundation for improving health services and the well-being of women.
Keywords
1. Contraceptive Preferences Study
2. Coitus Interruptus Contraception
3. Reproductive Health Education
4. Family Planning Services
5. Breastfeeding and Contraception
References
1. Teal, S., & Edelman, A. (2021). Contraception selection, effectiveness, and adverse effects: A review. JAMA, 326(23), 2507-2518. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.21042
2. Jensen, J.T. (2011). Why family planning matters. Rev Endocr Metab Disord, 12(2), 55-62. doi:10.1007/s11154-011-9166-7
3. Manze, M.G., Romero, D.R., Sumberg, A., Gagnon, M., Roberts, L., & Jones, H. (2020). Women’s perspectives on reproductive health services in primary care. Fam Med, 52(2), 112-119. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2020.956472
4. Alsaleem, M.A., Khalil, S.N., Siddiqui, A.F., Alzahrani, M.M., & Alsaleem, S.A. (2018). Contraceptive use as limiters and spacers among women of reproductive age in southwestern, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J, 39(11), 1109-1115. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.11.23162
5. Biswas, J.K., Poddar, S.D., Saravagi, G., Nilakantan, A. (2022). Access to essential contraception, family planning, and safe motherhood services during COVID-19 pandemic: Single secondary level care hospital experience. Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Med, 28(7), 69-75. doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2022.07.003
