A comparative study of hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin D levels at Gondar Town 2023.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the relationship between hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin D levels, assessing whether contraceptive types influence vitamin D deficiency prevalence.
Results Summary
Combined oral contraceptive (COC) users had significantly higher mean serum vitamin D levels (31.90 ng/ml) compared to Norplant (24.08 ng/ml), DMPA (24.83 ng/ml), and non-users (22.00 ng/ml). COC use reduced the odds of vitamin D deficiency by 90%, while higher education, lack of fish consumption, and no vitamin D supplementation increased deficiency risk.
Population
162 women using hormonal contraceptives (Norplant, DMPA, COC) and 162 age- and BMI-matched non-users in Gondar town, Ethiopia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Data collected from February to April 2023 (cross-sectional, no intervention duration specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | decrease | vitamin D deficiency | participants | by 90% | shown to reduce the odd of having | #1 |
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | increase | Vitamin D levels | users of combined oral contraceptives (COC) | - | had significantly higher mean serum | #2 |
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | increase | users of Norplant and DMPA, as well as non-users | users of combined oral contraceptives (COC) | - | had significantly higher mean serum Vitamin D levels compared to | #3 |
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | decrease | Vitamin D deficiency | COC users compared to non-users | - | The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was lower among | #4 |
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | decrease | Vitamin D deficiency | - | - | highlighting a potential protective effect of | #5 |
Norplant | neutral | Vitamin D levels | Norplant users | 24.08 (± 5.17) | mean serum Vitamin D levels of | #6 |
DMPA | neutral | Vitamin D levels | DMPA users | 24.83 (± 5.52) | mean serum Vitamin D levels of | #7 |
combined oral contraceptives (COC) | neutral | Vitamin D levels | COC users | 31.90 (± 6.94) | mean serum Vitamin D levels of | #8 |
- | neutral | Vitamin D level | control group | 22.00 (± 7.97) | control group has mean | #9 |
hormonal contraceptives | neutral | Vitamin D deficiency | hormonal contraceptive users | 21.6% (35/162) | the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among | #10 |
- | neutral | vitamin D deficiency | non-user controls | 48.14% (78/162) | non-user controls had | #11 |
higher education | increase | Vitamin D deficiency | participants | - | The odds of having Vitamin D deficiency was higher among participants who attained | #12 |
never eat fish | increase | Vitamin D deficiency | participants | - | The odds of having Vitamin D deficiency was higher among participants who | #13 |
never been used vitamin D Supplements | increase | Vitamin D deficiency | participants | - | The odds of having Vitamin D deficiency was higher among participants who have | #14 |
normal and hypercalcemia state | decrease | Vitamin D deficiency | individuals | - | shown to have lower odd of having | #15 |
Vitamin D deficiency is an emerging public health problem globally, with devastating health consequences. Some studies suggest that exogenous sex hormones, found in hormonal contraceptives, may enhance vitamin D levels. However, the reasons for this association are not fully understood, as women using hormonal contraception may have different lifestyle habits affecting their vitamin D status. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the relationship between hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin D levels. A Facility based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar town from February to April 2023, involving a total of 162 women using three types of hormonal contraceptives (Norplant, DMPA, and COC) and 162 age and BMI-matched non-users as controls in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collected data regarding the socio-demographic, economic, obstetric, lifestyle, and clinical information. 5 milliliters of blood samples were collected from each participant for Laboratory analysis of serum vitamin D, calcium, and alkaline phosphates using a Beckman Coulter chemistry analyzer. Independent t-tests, ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni test was used to compare statistics between the two groups, and logistic regression models to identify factors associated with Vitamin D deficiency. The mean serum Vitamin D levels of Norplant, DMPA, and COC users were 24.08 (± 5.17), 24.83 (± 5.52), and 31.90 (± 6.94) respectively; whereas control group has mean Vitamin D level of 22.00 (± 7.97). On the current study the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) among hormonal contraceptive users was found to be 21.6% (35/162), whereas 48.14% (78/162) of non-user controls had vitamin D deficiency. The odds of having Vitamin D deficiency was higher among participants who attained higher education, who never eat fish and have never been used vitamin D Supplements. However, the use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) shown to reduce the odd of having vitamin D deficiency by 90%. Similarly, individuals with normal and hypercalcemia state shown to have lower odd of having Vitamin D deficiency. Users of combined oral contraceptives (COC) had significantly higher mean serum Vitamin D levels compared to users of Norplant and DMPA, as well as non-users. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was lower among COC users compared to non-users, highlighting a potential protective effect of COC use against Vitamin D deficiency.