Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals in public health institutions on emergency contraception in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

E Sibanda¹ 

[1] University of Kwazulu Natal

关键词: Emergency contraception;    Knowledge;    Attitudes;    Practices;    Health professionals;   

DOI  :  10.7196/SAJOG.2017.v23i1.1091

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: South African Medical Association

【 摘 要 】

Background.Although emergency contraception (EC) is widely available, its use is surrounded by many controversies. Overall, it seems to be underutilised worldwide. Objectives . To determine healthcare professionalsá¾½ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding EC, and how frequently they encounter, educate and issue it to patients. Methods.A questionnaire-based survey of doctors and nurses (volunteers) working in obstetrics and gynaecology was conducted in 3 public hospitals and 17 clinics in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results . Sixty-seven (25%) doctors and 201 (75%) nurses participated in the survey. Awareness of the three ECs available in the public sector overall was 56.4%, and 62.7% of participants could prescribe one EC correctly. Only 39.6% knew that EC pills prevent ovulation. Seventy-six percent thought that the use of EC could lead to high-risk sexual behaviour, high risk of transmission of HIV and non-use of other forms of contraception. Only 7.8% saw patients seeking EC often, 5.6% issued it often and 23.5% educated patients about it often. Conclusion . Participants were familiar with EC, but lacked accurate and detailed knowledge about its mechanism of action and had misperceptions on its social impact. They seldom prescribed it.

【 授权许可】

CC BY