Free Resources

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of the use of Postinor-2 as emergency contraception is greatly alarming in so many parts of the world among young women today. Repetitive and misuse use of Postinor-2 has raised greatly increased irrespective of its impact on health (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). This occurs due to the increased availability of this drug over the counter. In one reproductive health article, it was explained that young women now chew Postinor-2 drug ‘as chocolate in Kenya and as candy in India’ (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). Contraception has been defined as measures utilized to prevent pregnancy. According to Sembuligam Textbook of Medical Physiology, contraception is also called fertility control or birth control strategy (Sembulingam, 6^th edition). The active ingredient in Postinor-2 is known as levonorgestrel (Oshodi et al., 2020). This contraceptive pill is designed for emergency use only. They are not as effective as when compared to other forms of contraception (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). It has not been recorded or recommended as a regular contraceptive method (Chin-Quee et al., 2014).

Postinor-2 is active when it is taken seventy-two hours of unprotected intercourse. It has been reported that this drug has an average of 85% in preventing pregnancies (Oshodi et al., 2020). When the drug is taken within the first twenty-four hours after sex it has about 95% to prevent pregnancy and its efficiency declines with time (for instance, pregnancy prevention percentage will be at 58%, when taken between 48-72hours after sex) (Oshodi et al., 2020).  When this drug is taken before ovulation it delays egg release, and when taken after ovulation it interferes with the movement of the egg and sperm. The World Health Organization has set a limit on the usage of all emergency contraceptive drugs to be at 1-4 times in one month (Chin-Quee et al., 2014).

Side effects of Postinor-2 include; Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, and fatigue (Oshodi et al., 2020). There is contraindication in the usage of this drug, they include, a situation of suspecting pregnancy, unprotected sex that have lasted more than seventy-two hours in the same menstrual cycle, experiencing bleeding from the vaginal, Liver problems, and hypersensitivity to ingredients (Oshodi et al., 2020). During conditions such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, girls below the age of sixteen, it is advisable not to be used. In case of health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, vascular disease, malabsorption, cancer, ischemic heart disease one must consult a medical doctor before using these drugs (Oshodi et al., 2020).

Although contraception is highly encouraged because of benefits such as reducing cost, encouraging birth spacing, improving maternal health, improving the economic stability of a nation, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and abortion (Oyeniran, et al., 2019; Evans and Saed, 2018; Asim et al., 2013). However, some of these contraception methods such as the use of Postinor-2 have a negative impact on health. For example, Jamaican pharmacists mentioned that the misuse and repeat use of drugs such as Postinor-2 is gradually replacing condom usage and that increases the risks of sexually transmitted diseases in the world (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). Another research that studied the histo-toxic effect of the drug Postinor-2 on the liver of female Wistar rats concludes that Postinor-2 is associated with the damage of cells and tissues of the liver organ (Ajileye et al., 2016). Hence the reason for this present study is to determine the impact of Postinor-2 usage on women’s health.

AIM

• To determine the impact of Postinor-2 on women’s health

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To determine the prevalence of repetitive or misuse of Postinor-2 usage among adult women
• To determine the effect of Postinor-2 in relation to developing the liver disease among adult women
• To understand the role Postinor-2 plays in sexually-transmitted diseases among adult women
• To determine the association between Postinor-2 usage and sexually transmitted diseases
• To understand the impact of Postinor-2 side effects (vagina bleeding, fatigue, breast tenderness) on women health

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Postinor-2 is an emergency-only contraception drug that is misused and repeatedly use among young women to avoid/control pregnancy in some parts of the world (Oshodi et al., 2020). However, most of the women using it do not understand the correct method of using the drug, how it works, its side effects, and risks associated with the misuse of the drug (Oshodi et al., 2020). One of the major reasons for the increased usage of this drug is due to the high availability of the drug, as it is sold over the counter (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). Although the side effects, contraindication, and precautions are on the leaflet, several do not care about such. Thus, leading to its misuse, rather than sticking to it as recommended 1-4 times a month by World Health Organization (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). Animal studies have shown that Postinor-2 damages cells and tissues of the liver (Ajileye et al., 2016). According to Chin-Quee et al., (2014) study, they mentioned a pharmacist said that emergency contraception usage is gradually replacing condom use, and as such increasing the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, this present study aims to determine the impact of Postinor-2 on health.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• What is the prevalence level of repetitive or misuse of Postinor-2 usage among adult women?
• Is there any relation between Postinor-2 and the development of liver disease among adult women?
• What role does Postinor-2 plays in sexually-transmitted diseases among adult women?
• Is there any association between Postinor-2 usage and sexually transmitted diseases?
• What impact do Postinor-2 side effects (vagina bleeding, fatigue, breast tenderness) have on women’s health?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Several types of research have focused on generalizing contraception usage, creating awareness because of the benefits associated with the use of contraception (Oyeniran, et al., 2019; Evans and Saed, 2018; Asim et al., 2013). However, not all contraception is effective as presumed. Also, the increase in over-the-counter sales of Posterior-2 is becoming very alarming, and previous are much concentrated on the cost saved by contraception usage rather than focusing on improving. For example, increased usage of Postinor-2, replacing the barrier method of contraception (use of condoms), will increase the risk of sexually-transmitted diseases (Chin-Quee et al., 2014). Also, there are limited works in this area. Therefore, this present study will focus on the health impact of Postinor-2 on women to improve health for all.   

METHODOLOGY

• Study Design: This review will concentrate on reviewing current literature to determine the impact of Postinor-2 on women’s health. In the search for this literature, keywords such as “Postinor-2”, “Emergency contraception”, “Adult Women”, “Women’s health”, “Liver”, “Side effects”, “Sexually-transmitted diseases”, “Drug misuse”, “Repetitive use”, and other related terms will be utilized. Databases such as Pubmed/ Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, will also be used to source data Also, Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used in selecting relevant literature for this study.
• ANALYSIS
• The following will be used for analysis in this review, they are; cluster analysis (CA) and/or factor analysis (FA), and/or principal component analysis (PCA). The results will be presented as odds ratios (OR).
• RISK ASSESSMENT

The risk assessment conducted for this project is provided in the table below:

Table 1:  Risk assessment

• SCHEDULE

Table 2: Project Plan

REFERENCES

Ajileye, A. B., Arije, B. S., Adigun, M. S. and Fasogbon, S. A. (2016) Histotoxic effects of the    drug Postinor-2 on the liver of female Wistar rats. European Journal Biomedical and    Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3(12):528-530.

Asim, M., Zafar, A., Gillani, I., Malik, N. (2013) The Impact of Contraceptive use on Women      Health: A Study of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary       Studies Published by MCSER-CEMAS-Sapienza University of Rome 2 (1): 257-262.

Chin-Quee, D., L'Engle, K., Otterness, C., Mercer, S. and Chen, M. (2014) Repeat use of emergency contraceptive pills in urban Kenya and Nigeria. Int Perspect Sex Reprod    Health. 40(3):127-34.

Evans, P. K. A. and Saeed, F. M. (2018) Contraceptive Methods: The Level of Awareness and     Patronage among Ghanaian Health Profession Trainees. Biomed J Sci&Tech Res 7(1): 1-      8

Oshodi, Y.A., Akinlusi, F.M., Uduosoro, A.A., Agbara, J.O., Rabiu, K.A. and Akinola, O.I.         (2020) Sexuality and Emergency Contraceptive Practice among Female Undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10, 836-854.

Oyeniran, A.A., Bello, F.A., Oluborode, B., Awowole, I., Loto, O.M. and Irinyenikan, T.A.         (2019) Narratives of women presenting with abortion complications in Southwestern        Nigeria: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE 14(5): e0217616

Sembulingam K and Sembulingam P (2012) Essential of medical Physiology 6^th edition chapter   88.

Last updated: Jan 14, 2022 03:32 PM