ABSTRACT
Non-hormonal contraceptive (NHC) is a type contraceptive method that impedes pregnancy without altering the body's natural hormones. It is the preferred choice for some women owing to the undesirable side effects and risks associated hormonal options. Non-hormonal methods include the intrauterine copper device (IUCD), barrier methods (such as condoms, cervical caps, diaphragm, and sponge) with and without spermicides, and behavioral methods. Although it has been postulated by literatures that the use of NHCs tend to have fewer risks and side effects, some other studies have also associated the usage of IUCD with alterations in the normal body physiology. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of these non-hormonal contraceptives on the haematological, haemostatic, and some inflammatory parameters on some women attending family planning clinics within the metropolis of Benin city. Using a convenient sampling method, A total of hundred (100) women, comprising of fifty (50) control subjects (group A) and non-hormonal contraceptive users as study subjects (group B) attending family planning clinics of Faith Mediplex hospital, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), and Central hospital in Benin city, Edo, State of Nigeria, having met the inclusion criteria where selected to participate in this study. Ten (10) mL of venous blood was collected using standard venipuncture technique and analyzed for haematological parameters (full blood count), haemostatic parameters (prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)), and some inflammatory parameters {Interleukin 2 (IL-2), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and C-reactive protein (CRP)} using the ERMA HAEMATOLOGY autoanalyser PCE-210N, manual method, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, respectively. Data obtained was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The results showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the haemoglobin (g/dL) (12.56±0.1811), haematocrit (HCT) (%) (37.64±0.5047), mean cell volume (MCV) (fl) (92.14±1.01), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) (30.58±0.4739), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (fl) (9.476±0.1394) of the study subjects, as compared to the control subjects (p<0.05). However, the mean red blood cell count (RBC) (×106/uL) (4.105±0.06842), and platelet count (X10³/uL) (168.6±9.426) showed a statistical significant decrease in the study subjects, compared to the control subjects (p<0.05). The activated partial thromboplastin time (seconds) of the study subjects (30.46±0.6665) was significantly lower compared to the control subjects (38±1.119) (p<0.05). A statistically significant increase in thevalue of CRP (mg/L) (11.05±0.4) in the study subjects compared to the control subjects (6.54±0.6249) (p<0.05) was also observed. Meanwhile the IL-2 (ng/mL) (10.55±0.4948), IL-6 (ng/L) (9.935±0.4447), and IL-12 (ng/L) (8.764±0.3797) values were significantly lower in the study subjects compared to the control subjects (p<0.05). In conclusion, the use of non-hormonal contraceptives, particularly IUCD may predispose users to anaemia/aggravate pre-existing anaemia. Furthermore, the results from this study indicate that they significantly affect some haemostatic and inflammatory parameters and therefore can predispose users to coagulation and inflammatory related diseases.
