Risk Factors for Low Quality of Life among Women Using Different Types of Contraceptives in Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Study

TL;DR

This study explores factors affecting the quality of life for Saudi women using contraceptives, identifying relationship issues, heavy menstrual flow, and breast symptoms as key risks.

Contribution

The study validates and adapts the SEC-QOL questionnaire for Saudi women and identifies specific risk factors for poor quality of life.

Findings

The Arabic version of the modified SEC-QOL questionnaire is valid and reliable for assessing quality of life in Saudi contraceptive users.

Poor relationship with husbands, heavy menstrual flow, and premenstrual breast symptoms are significant risk factors for poor quality of life.

Oral contraceptive pills are the most commonly used method among Saudi women in this study.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess and identify the risks for poor quality of life among female Saudi contraceptive users by administering an online questionnaire. The validity of the Arabic version of the Spanish Society of Contraception Quality of Life (SEC-QOL) questionnaire was assessed by incorporating the relevant items into an exploratory factor analysis and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. p < 0.05 was statistically significant. Questionnaires completed by 652 eligible women were analyzed. The most common contraception method was oral pills (51.5% of respondents). Analysis of the internal consistency of the questionnaire revealed that overall reliability was >0.7, which is considered adequate (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.845). Analysis of risk factors associated with higher overall SEC-QOL scores (worse overall quality of life) revealed several statistically significant variables. A “not good” relationship with their husbands, “heavy” menstrual flow, and premenstrual breast symptoms (breast pain, hypersensitivity, and increased size) were identified as risk factors for poor quality of life due to their association with the highest scores (poor quality of life). The Arabic version of the modified SEC-QOL is a valid and reliable tool to measure the quality of life of Saudi contraceptive users.