Knowledge, attitudes and practice of healthcare providers regarding contraceptive use in adolescence in Mahalapye, Botswana

  • Stephane Tshitenge University of Botswana
  • K Nlisi Botswana Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • V Setlhare University of Botswana
  • R Ogundipe University of Botswana
Keywords: attitude, contraceptive in adolescents, healthcare providers, knowledge, Mahalapye Botswana, practice

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health problem, for which healthcare providers (HCPs) play a critical role to prevent unintended pregnancy. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HCPs towards the use of contraceptives in adolescents.

Results: Of the 101 eligible for the study, 79.2% HCPs from the selected clinics and hospital responded. The majority (91.2%) of respondents felt confident to explain to adolescents how to use old contraceptive methods such as oral contraceptives or IUCD, less than half of the respondents (41.3%) were confident to explain how to use new contraceptive methods such as transdermal contraceptive patches or vaginal rings. Medical doctors felt more confident to prescribe new contraceptive methods compared with nurses, both vaginal rings (p-value = 0.0006) and transdermal contraceptive patches (p-value = 0.0003). More than two-thirds of the respondents disagreed that beliefs influenced their ability to offer contraceptive services to adolescents, half of the respondents strongly disagreed that it was morally wrong for adolescents to use contraceptives. Although three-quarters of respondents strongly agreed (median = 5, [IQR 5–6]) that they were comfortable with prescribing contraceptives to adolescents, only 23% of the respondents very much prescribed or always rescribed contraceptives to adolescents.

Conclusion: Most of the HCPs prescribed contraceptives irregularly, and had limited knowledge about newer methods. To change HCPs’ KAP, in addition to continuing medical education (CME), the establishment of family planning clinics for adolescents and more undergraduate contraceptive teaching for medical and nursing students could result in the increased utilisation of contraceptive services by adolescents.

Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp

S Afr Fam Pract 2018; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2018.150123

Author Biographies

Stephane Tshitenge, University of Botswana

Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

K Nlisi, Botswana Ministry of Health and Welfare

Botswana Ministry of Health and Welfare, Mahalapye, Botswana

V Setlhare, University of Botswana

Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

R Ogundipe, University of Botswana

Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

Published
2018-11-29
Issue
Vol 60 No 6: November/December 2018
Section
Research Articles
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