Abstract
AIM & BACKGROUND: Women with autoimmune diseases usually require contraception. Various factors influence women with autoimmune diseases who do not use contraceptive methods. However, there has been no research on the unmet need for contraception in patients with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and unmet need for contraception in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of female patients aged 15-49 years who had autoimmune diseases at the Internal Medicine Clinic of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. The subjects were then asked to complete the informed consent form and questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test for bivariate analyses. RESULTS: We included 92 subjects with a mean age of 35.6±6.26 years old, with an age range was 25-48 years old. Twenty (21.7%) subjects had an unmet need for contraception, while 72 (69.4%) used contraception or were planning for pregnancy. We found that education level (p=0.017) and Internet usage frequency (OR 3.42; 95%CI 1.02-11.45; p=0.037) were significantly associated with unmet need contraception in females with autoimmune disease. CONCLUSION: This study found that education level and Internet usage frequency were significantly associated with unmet need contraception in females with autoimmune disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The findings emphasize that education and Internet access are vital for meeting the contraceptive needs of women with autoimmune diseases.