Abstract
BackgroundComplementary medicines (CMs) are widely used by women. Although, women in Australia are frequent users of CM, few studies have examined their utilisation by women attending a family planning service. The aim of this study was to examine (i) the extent of and type of CM, (ii) women’s views about safety and efficacy, and (iii) the factors influencing women’s decision-making.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of 221women aged greater than 18 years attending a family planning (FP) service was undertaken over a two week period in Sydney, Australia. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was designed to examine women’s current and previous use of CMs, their attitudes towards safety and effectiveness, the factors influencing their decision-making, and their disclosure of CM use to a FP health professional. Demographic questions were designed to describe the diversity of the participants. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between CM use and demographics.ResultsSixty-seven percent of women surveyed were currently using CMs, and 83% reported use during the previous 12 months. Most respondents utilised CMs to maintain their general health or for prevention of ill health. Over 30% of women lacked information to make an informed response to questions examining their views about the safety of CMs. Forty-four percent of participants stated they discussed their use of CMs with their FP providers. The main reason why women did not mention CMs was they did not see the relevance to their consultation (43%). Lower rates of CM use were found for younger women (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.61), and those not completing high school (OR 0.44, 95% 0.20-1.00).ConclusionThe use of CM is very common among women attending an Australian FP clinic, however our findings may not be generalisable to all women. We identified a notable gap in women’s awareness of the potential for interactions between CM and prescribed medication. Our findings also emphasise the need for healthcare providers to initiate discussions with clients about their utilisation of CM.
Highlights
Complementary medicines (CMs) are widely used by women
Comparing the characteristics of our study population with the profile of clients attending the Ashfield Clinic at Family Planning New South Wales (FPNSW), we found our sample had a similar age profile and country of birth to the women attending the Ashfield clinic, our study population was represented by a greater proportion of women who spoke only English at home (p = 0.01), and whose education profile differed (p < 0.01)
The prevalence of CM use we recorded was slightly higher than that (74.4%, 95% CI 70.7–78.1) reported in the last national survey undertaken in Australia
Summary
Complementary medicines (CMs) are widely used by women. women in Australia are frequent users of CM, few studies have examined their utilisation by women attending a family planning service. A pilot study evaluating the effect of St John’s wort on OC therapy brought to light a link between the resulting increased metabolism of norethindrone and ethinylestradiol, and the occurrence of breakthrough bleeding, follicular growth, and ovulation [15]. These findings suggest St John’s wort may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, with the exception of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections and the levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system, whose efficacy does not appear to be impaired by the enhancement of the steroid metabolism in the liver. These findings are reflected in internationally recognised guidelines for the safe and effective provision of contraceptive methods [16]
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