Abstract: The following paper presents issues and benefits of surveying the public regarding pharmaceutical drugs, primarily contraceptives. The excerpt will provide an analysis of the responses different people had, what works and what does not as a surveyor. Women, the targeted population, were to anonymously answer several questions about birth control among other common birth controls used in the Reno community. The responses were intriguing and continue to amaze me as many women between the ages 19-50 are not taking any sort of contraceptive and never have.

Full Article: Many and most people are very personal about their health issues, which is understandable, but frustrating when surveying. Women especially were somewhat hesitant to give the complete results of their side effects and benefits of contraceptives and other medications. At the beginning of my first month surveying I would bluntly ask, “Do you take birth control?” which led me to obtaining the surveys but the responses lacked detail and comments. Most women are not normally compelled to answer such questions, especially from a stranger. Progressively through the months, I found that asking a friend to refer another friend was the quickest and most effective way to obtain the required number of surveys with elaborate information. Women are asked many questions regarding side effects like yeast infection, diarrhea, and mood swings which may be a little invasive, even if it is anonymous but beneficial for prospective users. Surveying women was challenging, proving that one can persevere if they truly put their efforts in and genuinely ask someone to take a five minute survey. Surveying people also made me much more comfortable approaching people I have never been acquainted with in order to ask somewhat personal questions. The surveys revealed a lot of information about women taking birth control and the benefits and side effects accommodating each drug. I was completely surprised by how many women could not take a survey because they have never taken birth control with absolutely no desire to do so. About 35% of the women I asked were not taking any form of birth control but not necessarily abstinent. The explanations for no contraceptives were all different. Some women would explain how they object to artificial hormones, while others would explain that they are only on birth control when they have a boyfriend. My question, what happens on random nights of sex? Have you ever had irregular periods or acne? Before taking birth control, the majority of the women surveyed explained how their acne was terrible, and their menstrual cycle was irregular and miserable. Compliant to oral contraceptives, acne, irregular periods and mood swings decreased.

I observed many women hesitant to share some information with me, for I was not a physician but found that most would confide in me when I would explain that I am a grad school candidate and interested in the PA program. Women were also responsive when I was able to agree or disagree about the different forms of birth control such as loestrin and the side effects I faced. All birth controls are different and affect each woman differently. Overall many women are approachable, but it takes some time and excessive comfort with oneself. It takes immense courage to be able to approach random people about their health and medications taken but when one can do it, it is an accomplishment. I only had one person reject the survey. It is discouraging to be turned away, but one continues on their journey with full force. I had surveying down to a science when I completed the internship. I knew exactly who to ask and who not to ask, based on their body language and face. Some people are approachable, while others completely identify with being cold and wanting to be left alone. I now have a better understanding of who is willing to communicate about personal issues and who are the people to leave be. This internship has not only given me the knowledge of different forms of birth control, but how important it is to have a consumer based website with real life experiences. Moreover, I am intrigued by oral contraceptives and the idea to decrease unplanned pregnancies while keeping women educated about the risks. Women, a wonderful population, made me thankful and appreciative of how open women can be and choosing birth control as my emphasis. Surveying is not a simple task, though it may appear to be, but reinforcing when finished and reported.