Self-medication with oral contraceptives in the Urban District of Antananarivo

Background: Oral contraception is the second hormonal contraceptive method most used in the world. Currently, self-medication with oral contraceptives experienced resurgence, most often with no medical supervision. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with oral contraceptives, identify the socio-economic status and identify the reasons why women aged 21 to 49 of the Urban District of Antananarivo (UDA) practice self-medication with oral contraceptives.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, where an interviewer-administered questionnaire has been used to collect data. Targeted female respondents aged 21-49 were asked about their contraceptive use during the twelve months preceding the survey.Results: Self-medication prevalence rate is 59.1%, considering oral contraception users. Moreover, it is higher among married women, those aged <36, less educated and having more than two children. Financial problem, affordability of the pills, former use of pills and information by their surroundings are the reasons why women self-medicate. Women who received a medical prescription at the first take of the pills are more likely to presently practice self-medication.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the evidence of a high prevalence of self-medication in the UDA. Self-medication can be harmful: the fight against its risks should get reinforced

Socio-demographic characteristics of religious leaders in Madagascar.

<p>Numbers and (percentages). Mean and [95% confidence interval].</p><p>*FFKM is the Malagasy Council of Christian Churches.</p><p>**Low skills: Farmers, manual laborers, Unemployed includes no official position, retired people, housewives.</p><p>***15 missing responses.</p

List of Christian denominations represented by over 5 religious leaders.

<p>*4 did not answer the question about denomination,</p><p>**16 did not answer this question.</p><p>***New Life Baptist Church (N = 5, 4: 80%), Evangelical Church (N = 5, 2∶40%), Revival Church of Jesus’ Disciples (N = 5, 1∶20%), Denomination unknown (N = 4, 3∶75%), Jesus Winner and Union of the Pentecostals and Jesus’ Wife Community (N = 3, 1∶33.3%), Free my People (N = 2, 1∶50%), Baptist Church of Mamorivokatra (N = 1, 0∶0%).</p

Flow chart of the survey of religious leaders in Madagascar.

<p>Flow chart of the survey of religious leaders in Madagascar.</p

Religious leaders’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards different condom use recommendations and other strategies of campaign against HIV-AIDS.

<p>Numbers and (percentages). Mean and [95% confidence interval].</p><p>CI: Confidence interval. OR: Odds Ratio. Ref.: reference. Adj.: adjusted. NI: non-included in multivariate analysis. NS: non-significant. N/A: Non-applicable. FFKM: Malagasy Council of Christian Churches. ART: antiretroviral treatment. PMTCT: prevention of mother to child transmission. PLHIV People living with HIV/AIDS. ASIBM: sexual abstinence before marriage. MF: marital fidelity. SI: sharp instruments.</p><p>*Variables included in the multivariate analyses. ORs are shown for variables forced into the model,</p>µ<p>Of 88 and 128 participants, respectively.</p>µµ<p>Multiple answers possible.</p