How safe is Contraception use among Obese Diabetic Women?
Authors: Daivasikamani Premkumar 
Published: August 2022

Incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing is worldwide. The incidence of obesity is also increasing among the diabetic people. Sexually active obese women are commonly encountered nowadays due to increase in the global burden of obesity and diabetes mellitus Obesity and diabetes mellitus is associated with many health risks and a pregnant obese diabetic woman has health risks not only for herself but also to the foetus she carries. Thus, an effective birth control method is important to reduce pregnancy related complications. Though most of us are aware of management of diabetes and obesity, we may not be aware of the contraceptive usage among premenopausal women and HRT [hormone replacement therapy] use among perimenopausal women. A study was conducted to find the incidence of obese diabetics among the women attending a religious function. Later the study was extended to find the contraceptive use among the obese diabetic women and HRT usage among obese perimenopausal diabetic women. It has been found that 16/84 are prediabetic 25/84 are diabetic and 35/84 are overweight and 22/84 are obese. Follow up study was done to find out what contraceptive method was used by them and their knowledge about the contraceptive use. 77% (n=364) of the sexually active obese women are using contraception, with most of them using hormonal contraception. We are aware that some of the oral contraceptives will aggravate diabetes and obesity. Introduction: There is global increase in diabetes mellitus together with increasing incidence of obesity among women. This increase in obese diabetic women includes increasing numbers of women of a reproductive age whose reproductive health and contraception need careful consideration. We have conducted a study among obese diabetic women and their contraceptive usage. This study explored the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception usage of the sexually active obese women. Among the respondents (25.6%) were not aware of the best contraceptive for sexually active obese women. It is noted that 32.1% of obese women with underlying medical illness were still on hormonal contraception. The awareness of health risk associated with hormonal contraceptive usage of the amongst the obese diabetic women is less. This study has revealed that there is a lack of education and counselling with regards to safe and appropriate use of contraceptive to the women who need it for family planning. Objective: This study aims to look at the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the choice of contraceptives among obese and sexually active women. Methods: This study was conducted at Ministry of Health, health facilities and Private General Practitioners’ Clinics inPeninsular Malaysia. A self-designed questionnaire was used to assess KAP of the participants. A total of 473 respondents participated in the survey. Results: 77% (n=364) of the sexually active obese women are using contraceptives. Majority used hormonal contraceptives (n=204, 56%) and barrier method was the preferred method (39%, n=142) among the others. Women with Hypertension and Type II Diabetes Mellitus have the highest rate of using hormonal contraception (51.6%, n=32, 52.6%, n=30) respectively. Both groups have low awareness on the health risk associated with hormonal contraception which was 69% and 83% respectively. Most of the respondents were satisfied with the method of contraception they use, and majority mentioned ‘Easy to take’ as the reason for using it. 32%(n=152) of the respondents have underlying medical illnesses. 24.5% thought that hormonal contraception is the best. 23.5% choose IUCD as the method of choice. Conclusion: In the first part of the study the incidence of diabetes mellitus and obesity among the women was done. In the second part the study explored the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice, of the sexually active obese women based on their sociodemographic data in the choice of the appropriate contraceptive considering their existing medical conditions and sources of procurement. Majority of obese women used non hormonal contraception and almost half of the rest chose hormonal contraception. A quarter of the respondents claimed that hormonal contraception was the best choice. Many obese women with underlying medical illnesses were on hormonal contraception. It is noted that 32.1% of obese women with underlying medical illness were still on hormonal contraception. The awareness amongst the diabetic and hypertensive respondents on health risk associated with hormonal contraceptive used was noted to be poor, being 38.7% and 42.9% respectively. The use of IUCD as the preferred and appropriate choice for those with medical conditions is very discouraging (less than 3%).