Norminest in Egypt: comparing the CSM brand to other oral contraceptives.

The Egypt Family of the Future Contraceptive Social Marketing (CSM) project which interviewed 1496 users and nonusers of contraception including CSM brands documented the highest continuation rate 67% of oral contraceptive with the CSM brand Norminest. There were 735 pill users who participated in all 6 household interviews over 1985-1986. Those unable to complete all interviews tended to be more highly educated and work outside the home. Estimates of the market share of Norminest ranged from 9.3% in 1984 to 10.7% in this study placing Norminest 5th behind Anovlar Microvlar Primovlar and Nordette oral contraceptives. Norminest users were often new pill users since 43% has used oral for 1 year or less. They were usually from middle and low socioeconomic classes with primary education and purchased Norminest from pharmacies. They could answer 3 questions on correct use as accurately as users of other brands not sold in CSM schemes. 67% of Norminest users continued with the same brand for the 2 years of the study compared to 47% of other brand users refuting the concern that CSM clients might have higher discontinuation or switching rates.