The relations between oral contraceptive medication adherence and relationship satisfaction, attitudes toward pregnancy, and relationship commitment among college females in heterosexual, monogamous, and sexual relationships

Abstract

Oral contraceptive medications are highly effective in preventing pregnancy but their effectiveness is contingent upon medication adherence. Relationship factors have been found to be associated with the use of a variety of contraceptive methods among adolescents but few studies have examined the role of relationship factors in oral contraceptive medication adherence among college students. The present study surveyed 87 female students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The goals of the study were: 1) to provide demographic information regarding the oral contraception medication adherence rate among college females engaged in heterosexual, monogamous, and sexual relationships; and 2) to explore the main and interactive effects of three relationship variables--relationship satisfaction, attitudes toward pregnancy, and relationship commitment--on oral contraception medication adherence. The participants completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of one menstrual cycle and provided pill packages for pill counts. The study found a perfect medication adherence rate of 45% among the sample over a two-month period. While the study did not find that oral contraceptive medication adherence was significantly related to relationship satisfaction, attitudes toward pregnancy, or relationship commitment, the study raised important methodological questions about the study of oral contraceptive medication adherence that warrants further research.