Analysis of pill knowledge amongst oral contraceptive users in Scotland according to client characteristics.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between various client characteristics and knowledge of oral contraceptives amongst pill users.

Method: This was a subanalysis of the data from the national audit of Scottish family planning clinics.

Results: There were significant differences in knowledge about many different criteria according to the characteristics of the client group. Low educational attainment, unemployment and more rural residence produced greater significant differences in contraception knowledge than social deprivation according to postcode (zipcode). Age and duration of use affected different criteria to varying degrees, but teenagers scored relatively poorly compared to the general population and knowledge did not significantly improve overall with duration of use.

Conclusion: Client characteristics do affect levels of pill knowledge. Clinicians must reflect on how to communicate more effectively with all types of pill users. They should take the opportunity of clinic visits for repeat pill prescriptions to improve knowledge levels.