Over-the-counter use of oral contraceptives in Kuwait

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are available over-the-counter (OTC) in Kuw ait, and constitute a leading method for spacing and limiting children. Dat a from a nationally representative survey of Kuwaiti women are used to exam ine OTC use of OCPs. One-fourth of the women initiated use without consulti ng a doctor, and 50% bought OCPs from the pharmacy. No socioeconomic or dem ographic differences were found between those who consulted a physician, im plying that women of different background have similar accessibility to the physician. Using multivariate analysis, the odds of consulting a physician were found to be significantly lower for women who first bought OCPs direc tly from the commercial pharmacy. The duration of first time OCP use did no t differ according to physician consultation. It is concluded that OTC avai lability of OCPs has many advantages and prevents unwanted pregnancy. Howev er, there is a need for better packaging and instructions that would enable high-risk women to identify themselves and to use OCPs under physician sup ervision. (C) 2001 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. A ll rights reserved.