THURSDAY, Feb. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say giving birth control information to women visiting dermatology clinics can help promote the safe use of isotretinoin. The study was published online Feb. 4 in JAMA Dermatology.
The study included 100 female patients from one dermatology clinic. Their average age was about 27, and nearly two-thirds had a college education. Their knowledge about eight methods of birth control was assessed before and after they read an information sheet about contraception.
Before seeing the information sheet, the women correctly judged the effectiveness of about half of the birth control methods. After reading the information sheet for about half a minute, the researchers found that the women's ability to identify the effectiveness of the birth control methods increased by as much as 33 percent, depending on the form of birth control. Some of the biggest increases in knowledge were for contraceptive implants, intrauterine devices, the contraceptive patch, oral birth control pills, and even condoms, the researchers found.
The study findings show that "even a small investment in time on the part of physicians and patients can greatly enhance the understanding of contraception options," Marie Leger, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University in New York City, writes in an accompanying commentary. "Closing this practice gap could both prevent pregnancies in patients receiving isotretinoin and help ensure that dermatologists do not inadvertently undertreat acne in women."
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