Contraception in women with diabetes: adequacy of medical files registration and prescription - a cross-section study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the adequacy of diabetes mellitus (DM) patient's files registry regarding contraception method (CM), factors associated with lack of registry, and if prescription is in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) eligibility criteria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was developed in two phases: (1) electronic medical records of women with DM who attended the outpatient clinic of a university hospital were reviewed to identify women in reproductive age and to look for CM registration and (2) interviews regarding contraception use, comorbidities and chronic DM complications.

RESULTS

Among 1069 files analyzed, 313 women with DM in childbearing age were identified. Out of those, 55.3% had a CM registered. Age >40 years, non-white skin color, and ≤11 years of education were associated with no registration. Of the 270 women interviewed, 201 (74.4%) were using CM. Out of the 69 patients not on CM, 51 fertile patients were at risk of an unplanned pregnancy (18.8% of the sample). The most frequently used method was oral hormonal (combined: 34.3%; progestin-only: 17.9%), and 67 (33.3%) were using an inadequate method (WHO eligibility category 3/4).

CONCLUSION

One third of women with DM are in childbearing age. Older age, non-white skin color, and lower education level were associated with lack of CM registration. One-third of respondents were using CM inappropriate for their clinical condition and one-fifth were at risk for an unplanned pregnancy. So, improvements in family planning for women with DM should be instituted.