THE INFLUENCE OF TYPE OF INFORMATION, SOMATIZATION, AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ON ATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPLIANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE TRIPHASIC ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE TRI-MINULET(R)

The possibility of improving attitude, knowledge, and compliance with respect to the oral contraceptive (OC) Tri-Minulet((R)) (Wyeth, Hoofdd orp, The Netherlands) by supplying brochures and information on audiot ape was studied in 1239 healthy women, aged between 25 and 45. One gro up was orally informed, a second group additionally received brochures , and a third group received, in addition to the above two, informatio n on audiotape. At baseline and after the first and third cycle, OC-at titude, missed pill handling, and compliance were assessed. Somatizati on and locus of control were also assessed. Knowledge of the medical a dvantages of the pill was increased by the audiotape and the complianc e by the combination of brochures and audiotape. The brochures alone a nd in combination with tape improved the knowledge of how to handle mi ssed pills. In somatizers and externals, who particularly showed a poo r knowledge and a negative pill-attitude, this knowledge was increased by the combination of brochures and tape. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science I nc. All rights reserved.