Abstract
Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to assess three domains - the knowledge, attitude and practice related to the Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) among primary health care providers (physicians and nurses) in Oman. The secondary objective is to compare the IUCD-related knowledge, attitude and practice of health care providers in primary health care between physicians and nurses. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in primary health care centers in Muscat region of Oman from May, 2014 until September, 2015. The survey was a self-administered questionnaire contained questions to assess factual knowledge, attitudes and practice of IUCD. The questionnaire was distributed to female health care providers only. Data was collected by researchers and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Total 269 primary health care providers completed the questionnaire. 109 (40.52%) participants had good and 131 (48.70%) had average actual knowledge related to IUCD. The main reasons providers cited for not recommending the IUCD were concerns about the side effects; 174 (64.68%) mentioned that it causes bleeding and 127 (47.21%) reported that it needs service provider. Only 140 (52.43%) of the providers would routinely recommend IUCD to their clients. Conclusion: Future educational programs for health care providers should address the educational needs in the identified areas including misconceptions with regards to IUCD failure rate and side effects. Future training programs are also required to increase the technical competence of insertion and confidence in handling the side effects of IUCD.
Highlights
Intrauterine device (IUCD) is a safe, long term reversible contraceptive method that can be used for most women with few side effects [1-3]
In Oman, since 1994 contraception services are provided to all married couples in primary health care centers including Cu38A Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) [5, 7]
It showed that health care providers are the main source of women’s information about IUCD, and there is a deficit in the knowledge about IUCD benefits and side effects among Omani women [5, 9]
Summary
Intrauterine device (IUCD) is a safe, long term reversible contraceptive method that can be used for most women with few side effects [1-3]. Worldwide this method is under-utilized despite being available and effective [1, 2, 4-6]. In Oman, since 1994 contraception services are provided to all married couples in primary health care centers including Cu38A IUCD [5, 7]. These services are provided by the government free of charge. According to the yearly national health report released by Ministry of Health, Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care 2020; 2(1): 9-15
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