ABSTRACT
Since physicians strongly influence both national family planning policy and individuals' contraceptive choice, a survey was conducted to learn about the perspectives of Sri Lankan physicians (n-100) regarding periodic abstinence methods of family planning (PA). Female doctors (28% of the sample) were twice as likely to have ever provided PA advice to their clients as their male counterparts. Providers of PA were more likely to have ever personally used this form of contraception than PA non-providers. Regardless of PA provider status, all physicians most frequently recommended pills, injectables and IUDs to their clients. They had very good knowledge of the temperature method. The scientific foundation of this method is studied in medical school, suggesting that if the other modern methods (Billings and sympto-thermal) were incorporated into medical school curricula, physicians might be more willing to discuss, refer or provide other modern, scientific forms of PA to their clients.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Contraception Behavior , Family Planning Services/methods , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Physician's Role , Sexual Behavior , Sri LankaABSTRACT
The rapid spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); has generated renewed interest in condoms in recent years. The female condom represents a new and potentially important addition to the existing choice of condoms. A female could potentially empower women by giving them a barrier method under their control; offering protection against the spread of AIDS and other STDs as well as unintended pregnancy