Hematological parameters of reproductive-age women using hormonal contraceptive at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hormonal contraceptives are synthetic biochemical substances used to prevent unplanned pregnancy. However, these contraceptives may have some common adverse effects that include irregular menses, amenorrhea, and serious but uncommon side effect such as increased risk of thromboembolic events. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the hematological parameters of reproductiveage women taking hormonal contraceptives at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia in 2021. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021. A total of 240 study participants were recruited by using a consecutive sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic variables and clinical data were collected by employing a structured questionnaire via face-to-face interviews and reviewing medical records respectively. Venous blood was collected for complete blood count analysis using Unicel DxH 800 coulter hematology analyzer. Data was entered into Epi-data 4.4.3.1 version then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science software for analysis. Kruskal-Wallis H, dunn-Bonferroni pairwise comparison test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used for inferential statistics. A p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: The median and interquartile range of platelet count among combined oral contraceptive users was 285(238-332) which is significantly higher than that of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate user 246(220-226) (p=0.010), implant user 247(221-297) (p=0.034), and controls 256(224- 278) (p=0.015). The result also showed long-term use of implant negatively correlated with red blood cell count (p=0.033). Conclusion: This finding concludes that combined oral contraceptive users had increased platelet count than controls and long-term use of implants can have a negative effect on red blood cell count. Therefore, women suffering from low platelet count may benefit from the none contraceptive benefits of oral contraceptives for those desiring contraceptives. However, in places where anemia is common, long-term use of implants may add more morbidity due to their negative effect on the RBC count of women Therefore, baseline evaluation of complete blood count in women desiring contraceptive methods would also be recommended. Keywords: Contraceptive, Hematologic parameter, Reproductive-age, Women, Ethiopia