Improving compliance in oral contraception: 'the reminder card'

To assess oral contraceptive compliance and to evaluate the reminder card device as a means of improving compliance. The study also aimed to evaluate ease of use of the card and women's attitudes to it after several months of use.

In France, 975 women requesting oral contraception (whether repeat prescription or first-time use) were asked retrospectively about missed pills during the previous 3 or 6 months. The decision of whether or not to provide a patient with a reminder card at inclusion was left to the gynecologist. Usefulness of and satisfaction with the reminder card were also assessed.

Of all study participants, 60% acknowledged missing at least one pill since starting oral contraception. Compliance appeared to be significantly better in card users than non-users (p < 0.001). More than 80% of card users stated that the device had prevented them from forgetting to take the pill on at least one occasion. Forty-six per cent of prevented missed pills occurred during the first week of the cycle. No pregnancies were recorded. Among the card users, 98% found the card easy to use and 97% were satisfied with the card.

Use of the reminder card significantly improved compliance. Users found the reminder card acceptable and easy to use. This type of reminder device could potentially reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and hence the number of requests for pregnancy termination.