Abstract

LOPEZ DE CASTRO, F. et al. Knowledge and attitudes about emergency contraception of Primary Health Care doctors in Toledo. Medifam [online]. 2001, vol.11, n.8, pp.21-34. ISSN 1131-5768.

Background: Emergency Contraception (EC) is an increasing demand in Primary Health Care (PHC).  Objective: to study the knowledge and attitudes about EC of doctors in PHC.  Design: cross sectional descriptive study through autofilled questionnaire.  Subjects and methods: the participans of our study were 336 doctors who worked in PHC. The questionnaire included items about known methods, side effects, contraindications, request and attitude about the same, regimen used by the prescriptors, used of prophilactic anti-nausea drugs, previous pregnancy test and referral to Family Planning Centre (FPC).  Results: it were responded 139 questionnaires (41.3%). 8.0% not known any EC methods; 84.9% named hormonal regimen, 12.9% Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) and others a 3.5%. It was considered as the most frecuent side effect vomiting/nausea (69.7%); the most severe was venous thrombosis (35.9%) and the main contraindication was pregnancy (84.8%). The 93.5% had some request of EC during the last year. The method was considered as abortion in 27.5%. EC was prescripted in 68.8%. This percentage is less in those who considered it as an abortion. Prescriptors made a pregnancy test in 74.4%. The most used regimen was the Yuzpe one (54.1%). It was always prescribed prophylactical antiemetic drugs in 30.6%. They always refered to FPC in 33.7%. If the demandant were less than 18 years old, the 49.6% of the requested recommended to come back with a grown-up and they prescribed EC in 17.6%. Conclusions: it were founded a lack of know-ledge about EC and an heterogeneal actuation between our professionals. We think that it is necessary an improvement in their formation and make clear actuations guides to assist properly this important and increasing demand.

Keywords : Postcoital contraception; Knowledge; Attitudes and practice; Primary Health Care.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )