A study investigating obstetricians' and gynaecologists' management of women requesting an intrauterine device.
BACKGROUND
Intrauterine methods including the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) provide highly effective long-term reversible contraception. The reasons for relative low use of these methods in Australia compared to many European countries are not clear, but may in part relate to provider reluctance because of outdated knowledge about their safety and efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to survey Australian Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists about their knowledge of the risks, benefits and mechanisms of action of intrauterine methods.


METHODS
In 2008, we undertook a cross-sectional survey of all Australian Fellows not registered as a subspecialist. The survey was mailed to 1050 practitioners and 701 were returned, comprising a response rate of 67%.


RESULTS
Knowledge about the LNG-IUS was significantly better than for the Cu-IUD in terms of correct understanding about mechanism of action (89.3% vs. 30%; P < 0.001) and efficacy (63.2% vs. 33.5%; P < 0.001). According to the WHO, both methods are considered suitable for use in nulliparous women, yet only 39.1% of providers believed the Cu-IUD suitable compared to 69.4% for the LNG-IUS (P < 0.001). When responses were analysed according to time from graduation, many aspects of knowledge about these devices showed a linear trend, with greater accuracy in recent graduates (<10 years) compared with graduates of more than 30 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Both methods are highly effective, non-user dependent and reversible and deserve greater understanding and consideration for use by Australian practitioners and women.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, Central Clinical School, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. kirsten.black@sydney.edu.au
Kirsten I
KI
Black
Tahereh
T
Sakhaei
Suzanne M
SM
Garland
D001315:Australia; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel