Psychological Side Effects and Women Experience as a Result of Using Contraceptives in Dar Es Salaam
Author: Abdul Hemed Charles & Martin Allen
Abstract: It is undeniable fact that contraceptives are a key way of limiting births and of achieving family planning. This study focused assessment of the negative and positive psychological side effects women experience as a result of using contraceptives. Quantitative data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 21 whereby frequencies, percentage distributions, as well as mean and standard deviation counts were used. Findings revealed several negative and positive side effects such as immediate abnormal changes, feelings of guilt and shame, depression, feelings of hopelessness, abnormal changes in sleeping patterns, and the like, while positive side effects included happiness and no regrets among others. The study concludes and recommends that service providers such as hospitals should allow flexibility of the choice of contraceptive methods which serve sub-groupings i.e. beginners, spacers and or stoppers, males/females, tolerant and non-tolerant so as to allow switch over.