Over-the-counter oral contraceptive use among women in Mexico: Results from a national survey

Aim: In Mexico, many pharmacies sell oral contraceptives (OCs) over the counter (OTC); however, little is known about the background characteristics of OTC pill users. The primary objective of this study was to understand the characteristics of OTC OC users in Mexico, including whether there were differences by age, urbanicity, and insurance status. This information is instructive as other countries explore allowing OTC access to OCs.

Methods: We analysed the nationally representative 2014 Mexican National Survey of Demographic Dynamics (ENADID) among a sample of OC users aged 15–54 years (n=1970). We performed multivariable logistic models to understand the characteristics associated with OTC access, with age, urbanicity, and insurance status as our primary predictors of interest. Additionally, we descriptively explored knowledge of how frequently to take OCs by pill source and age.

Results: Some 54% of pill users, including 66% of those aged 15–17 years, obtained their OCs OTC. In multivariable regression we found no differences in OTC access by age. However, being uninsured (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.86, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.82) (compared with employer-based public insurance) and living in an urban area (AOR 4.73, 95% CI 3.37 to 6.66) (compared with rural area) were associated with a higher odds of OTC access among pill users. Women’s knowledge of how frequently to take OCs was similar between OTC and prescription users within age groups.

Conclusions: These findings point to the importance of OTC availability of OCs for pill users of all ages and uninsured and urban women in Mexico in particular.