Prevalence of contraceptive use and its association with depression among women in the Jazan province of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are used for birth control and the treatment of premenopausal syndrome. Mood changes represent the leading reported cause of discontinuation of HC. Changes in mood vary from mild disturbances to severe clinical depression. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression among HC users who visit primary health care centers in the Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia and to identify psycho-social factors that may predispose HC users to depression. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among women who visited five primary health care centers in the Jazan Province. The survey included questions about socio-demographic information and an Arabic adaptation of the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Among the 904 women surveyed, the prevalence of HC use was 57.3%. Mood disturbances were observed in approximately one-third of these women. There is was a significant correlation between higher depression scores and a history of depression therapy (P-value < 0.001), as moderate, severe, and extreme depression was more common in those with a history of taking depression therapy. The type of contraception used was also found to be a significant factor (P-value = 0.01) in the degree of depression. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of women using HC were shown to exhibit symptoms of mood disturbance. Working, limited social support, asked whether or not they experienced living problems in the past 2 months, and having an uncomfortable or somewhat comfortable marital relationship increased the likelihood of mood disturbances. Primary health care physicians should be aware of the relatively high prevalence of mood disturbances in women using HC, to provide support and care to patients.