Al Aloola N, Almuneef S, Alasmari R, Al Ewairdhi H. Qualitative insights into the need for a contraception protocol from obstetricians' and gynecologists' perspectives.
BMC Womens Health 2023;
23:496. [PMID:
37726775 PMCID:
PMC10510242 DOI:
10.1186/s12905-023-02657-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Studies on the use of contraception in the Saudi community highlight the need for improving community knowledge about contraception, implementing guidelines, and restricting contraception dispensing. However, there is a lack of studies assessing the need for contraception protocols from obstetricians' and gynecologists' (Ob/Gyn) perspectives. This study aimed to assess the need for a contraception protocol from the perspectives of Ob/Gyn physicians.
METHODS
Qualitative in depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample that comprised physicians from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a tertiary teaching hospital. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using NVivo (QSR International) software.
RESULTS
A total of 12 interviews were conducted and analyzed. Participants indicated a lack of prescribing restrictions and highlighted issues of low contraception literacy in Saudi communities, self-prescribing behaviors, health system organization, and physicians' knowledge. Participants perceived the need for a contraception protocol guiding the prescribing process and patient counseling without restricting prescribing. Moreover, participants highlighted a number of factors affecting the development and implementation of such a protocol, including the availability of contraception, the need for research by physicians, patient factors, and the expected increased load on the hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
This research described current practices, showed the need for a contraception protocol, and highlighted the factors affecting the development and implementation of such a protocol.
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