Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of health care providers regarding the recommendation and use of long-acting reversible contraceptive devices for adolescent patients

Abstract

Objective

To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare providers in a region in southwestern Colombia regarding the recommendation and use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods for adolescents.

Study Design

This was a cross-sectional study. An online exploratory survey was designed to assess healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Valle del Cauca hospitals. For the development of this the questionnaire, a literature search and validation of the instrument’s appearance were conducted.

Results

The survey was completed by 115 people. Knowledge: 62.6% and 33% of the participants did not consider themselves capable of correctly placing an intrauterine device (IUD) or a subdermal implant, respectively. However, 73.9% of the participants had adequate theoretical knowledge. Attitudes: 64.3% of the participants considered that adolescents can acquire contraceptive methods without limitations. Short-acting reversible methods were the least recommended. Perceptions: For IUDs, 40.8% and 16.5% of the participants imposed a minimum age and minimum parity requirement for their use, respectively. Side effects were the main reason for not recommending in health institutions with a lower level of complexity.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers had positive attitudes and adequate theoretical knowledge concerning to the effectiveness of LARCs. The main areas for improvement were practical knowledge about the insertion and proper use of the devices, indications for referral to gynaecologists for the insertion procedure, and concerns about side effects.

SHORT CONDENSATION

Our research explores healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding long-acting reversible contraceptives for adolescents. While attitudes were positive, practical knowledge gaps on device, placement and referral indications emerged. Read the full findings to uncover more about LARCs in adolescent healthcare

摘要

目的: 描述哥伦比亚西南部一个地区的医疗保健提供者对青少年推荐和使用长效可逆避孕工具(LARC)方法的知识、态度和看法。

研究设计

这是一项横断面研究。一项线上探索性调查旨在评估考卡山谷医院的医疗保健提供者对避孕知识、态度和看法。问卷调查前, 进行文献检索, 并对问卷的可行性进行了验证。

结果

共115人完成调查。知识:62.6%和33%的参与者认为自己不能正确放置宫内节育器(IUD)或皮下植入物。73.9%认为有足够的理论知识。态度:64.3%的受访者认为青少年可以无限制地获得避孕方法。短效可逆治疗是最不推荐的。观念:对于宫内节育器, 40.8%的参与者和16.5%的参与者分别规定了使用宫内节育器的最低年龄和最低性别平等要求。副作用是不建议在初级卫生机构使用的主要原因。

结论

医护人员对LARCs的有效性有积极的态度和足够的理论知识。需要改进的主要领域是关于置入和正确使用该设备的专业知识, 转诊给妇科医生进行置入操作的适应症, 以及对副作用的关注。

Keywords:

• Contraceptive agents
• Long-Acting reversible contraception (LARC
• )
• adolescent
• health knowledge
• attitudes
• practice
• surveys and questionnaires

Acknowledgments

We thank the gynecology and obstetrics team of Fundación Valle del Lili, as well all the participants of this survey.

Ethics statement

The authors of this article affirm their substantial contributions to the research, adherence to ethical authorship practices, and the absence of any form of plagiarism or data fabrication/falsification. The presented data are authentic and have been collected and analysed with integrity. Furthermore, the authors disclose no competing interests, whether financial or otherwise, that could influence the research or findings reported in this article, with full compliance with journal guidelines

Disclosure statement of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process

During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Chat-GPT to improve English writing. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.