title: Family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices among bariatric healthcare providers.
abstract: This survey aimed to identify the family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices of bariatric providers in the perioperative period.
  
  
  
  We developed a quantitative survey based on semistructured interviews with six bariatric providers. We mailed the survey to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery members with plans to use data from the first 275 responders to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding family planning.
  
  
  
  Over 70% of 272 respondents recommended that women avoid pregnancy for 12-24months after bariatric procedures. Most (73.0%) considered female reproductive health discussions very important, and most feel comfortable (70.4%) with these discussions. The majority considered the most effective contraceptive methods to be safe for women after gastric bypass; only a minority (35.3%) provided contraceptive services or referrals, and few (4.9%) have accurate knowledge of contraceptive effectiveness. Respondents most frequently preferred the patient's own gynecologist (80.9%) or bariatric surgeon (71.0%) discuss contraception. Discussing contraception was associated with provider age 40-49years, training region in southeast or midwest and degrees of physician assistant or nurse practitioner with adjusted odds ratios exceeding 2.0.
  
  
  
  Bariatric providers consider reproductive health very important, and while most are comfortable having these conversations, few have accurate knowledge of contraceptive safety and effectiveness. Most would prefer patients see their gynecologists to discuss contraception. These findings suggest an opportunity for gynecologists to educate themselves and bariatric colleagues about contraception recommendations after bariatric surgery and collaborate with bariatric centers in their area to meet the needs of these patients.
  
  
  
  Gynecologists must become educated and involved in the care of female bariatric patients to discuss reproductive health concerns and to counsel effectively regarding contraception after bariatric surgery.
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Family Planning. Electronic address: tjatlaoui@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Tara C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Jatlaoui
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Family Planning.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cordes
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Family Planning.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goedken
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Family Planning.
authors.forename: Denise J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jamieson
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Family Planning.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cwiak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059035:Perioperative Period; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Contraception; Family planning; Weight loss surgery