Cigarette smoking women of reproductive age who use oral contraceptives: results from the 2002 and 2004 behavioral risk factor surveillance systems.

BACKGROUND

Despite health warnings about the increased risk of cerebrovascular disease among women who smoke while using oral contraceptives (OCs), prior research suggests that OC use is still prevalent among women who smoke cigarettes. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of OC use among cigarette smoking women of reproductive age in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

We extracted data from the 2002 and 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys of 76,544 women between 18 and 44 years of age who reported using some form of contraception. OC use, or self-reported use of "the pill," was examined among those who currently smoke, either everyday or some days. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare OC use between smoking and nonsmoking women.

RESULTS

One fourth (26.9%) of U.S. women who smoke compared with 34.6% of nonsmoking women reported currently using OCs. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, binge drinking, and health care coverage, women who smoke were 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-0.7) times as likely to use OCs as nonsmoking women. Among women aged 35 to 44 years, the odds of OC use among smokers was even further reduced (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; 95% CI, 0.3-0.4) compared with nonsmokers.

CONCLUSION

Among U.S. women of reproductive age who use contraception, particularly among women aged 35 to 44 years, those who smoke cigarettes are significantly less likely to use OCs than those who do not.