Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Contraception Methods among Childbearing Age Women in Wasit, Iraq

Abstract

Utilization of contraceptive assay can help couples to control the numbers of children through avoiding unwanted gestations and subsequently to serve their intention for stopping and/or postpone childbearing by choices. This study aimed to evaluate level of awareness and knowledge with practices of contraception throughout childbearing age women at Wasit province, Iraq. Cross-sectional survey was performed on 170 women in childbearing age. A structured questionnaire was composed of two parts; the first one was to collect basic demographic information as age, resident, education level and parity; while the second part was to estimate the knowledge, attitude and discover the practices for application the contraception tools. The results were revealed that awareness of the following methods was high: oral contraception pill (99.6%), condom (99%), intrauterine device (IUD) (95.4%) and injection (69%). Information about contraception methods were acquired mainly from social media (34%), followed by social circle (schools, institutions and friends) in 33 percent, knowledge from health care workers was 29% and the least source of information was from family in 3.5%. Among study population, 50.6% was previously applying at least one modern tool of contraception; whereas, 48.2% were currently apply one type of modern family planning method. Condom was the most popular method used among the women enrolled in our study about (31.2%), which followed by the combined oral contraception pills which was practiced in 26.5%, and the least used modern method was Implant 3.5%. In conclusion, women in Wasit province were showed a good awareness and knowledge of contraception methods. Additional effective ways are required to educate women about contraceptive methods to be provided by health care provider.