Knowledge, professional attitudes, and training among health professionals regarding male contraceptive methods

Abstract

Objectives

Health professionals are at the forefront of information and acceptability regarding contraceptive methods, however only one study evaluated their knowledge of male contraception (MC) including hormonal MC (HMC) and thermal MC (TMC). Our objective was to evaluate the knowledge, professional attitudes, and training of French practitioners regarding the management of couple contraception by male contraception (MC).

Study design

We designed a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study in 2,396 French practitioners belonging to national or regional institutions involved in contraception. We solicited practitioners by e-mail to complete an anonymous questionnaire; we analysed their knowledge, professional attitudes, and training regarding the management of couple contraception by MC.

Results

The overall participation rate was 18% (427/2,396). Condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy were known by 98%, 89%, and 76% of the population, respectively. Hormonal MC and Thermal (TMC) were known by 10% and 24% of the population, respectively. Fifty-five percent of the population never or infrequently offered MC during a couple's contraceptive request consultation. Only 14% of the population had ever participated in training on MC; 96% wanted to be better trained on MC, and 87% expressed a willingness to participate in training on the subject.

Conclusions

Health professionals involved in contraception have unsatisfactory knowledge about MC methods based on spermatogenesis inhibition and are eager to have more information about them. To advance the acceptability and dissemination of MC methods, it seems imperative to enhance research in the field and to provide health professionals with an adapted training programme.

摘要

目标：卫生专业人员在避孕方法的信息和可接受性方面处于前列, 但仅有一项研究评估了他们对男性避孕（MC）的知识, 包括激素MC（HMC）和温热MC （TMC）。我们的目的是评估法国卫生专业人员在解决夫妻避孕问题上, 对于男性避孕（MC）方面的知识、专业态度和培训。

研究设计：我们设计了一项描述性、横断面、多中心研究, 研究对象为2396名来自国家或地区避孕相关机构的法国卫生专业人员。我们通过电子邮件邀请他们填写匿名问卷, 分析他们对夫妻避孕问题上关于男性避孕（MC）方面的知识、专业态度和培训。

结果：总参与率为18%（427/2396）。分别有98%、89%和76%的人知道避孕套、体外射精和输精管结扎术。激素MC和温热MC（TMC）分别有10%和24%的人知道。55%的人从未或很少在夫妇避孕的咨询中提供MC。只有14%的人曾经参加过关于MC的培训；96%的人希望得到更好的MC培训, 87%的人表示愿意参加相关培训。

结论：从事避孕工作的医务人员对基于精子发生抑制的MC方法的了解程度不高, 迫切需要了解更多的知识。为了促进MC方法的可接受性和传播, 似乎必须加强该领域的研究, 并为卫生专业人员提供适当的培训方案。

Keywords:

• Contraception
• male contraception
• knowledge
• providers
• training

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Julia Maruani (President of the Marseille-Provence College of Gynaecology), Mrs. Isabelle Leberre (member of the MFPF of Marseille), and Mrs. Michelle Marcot (of the Mediterranean Network) for their help in the distribution of the questionnaire.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).