Experience with Oral Contraceptive Pills at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Southern Nigeria

Background: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are one of the most widely prescribed forms of
hormonal contraception. They are most popular non-surgical effective method of contraception.
Objective: This study is aimed at reviewing the prevalence rate, the yearly trend of OCP use and
socio-demographic features of the acceptors of oral pills at the Rivers State University Teaching
Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a retrospective study in which records of acceptors of oral contraceptive pills in
the family planning unit of RSUTH from 1st January, 2008 to 31st December, 2017 were reviewed.
Data collated were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM version 25.0
(Armonk, NY).
Results: There were 1893 contraceptive acceptors during the study period. Out of which 86 (4.5%)
accepted the oral pills. The mean age of the clients was 30.4 SD 6.92. Majority of the clients 66
(76.8%) were between the age range of 20 to 34 years. Over half 48 (55.8%) of the acceptors were
multiparous women. Majority of the acceptors of oral pills 82 (95.3%) were Christians and had formal
education respectively. The commonest source of information on the use of oral contraceptive pills
was from clinical personnel, accounting for 36 (41.8%). There was a downward trend in the use of
OCP during the study period.
Conclusion: Oral contraceptive method was mostly used by young, multiparous and educated
women. The rate of acceptance of oral contraceptive pills in our centre was 4.5%. As such, concerted
efforts should be made to increase the uptake of oral pills in the family planning unit of the hospital.