Evaluation of physicians’ sensibility for the risk of unplanned pregnancy

Prémio em Contraceção 2012 da Sociedade Portuguesa de ContraceçãoABSTRACT: In Portugal, about 94% of sexually active women who don`t want to become pregnant, use a contraceptive method. From these, oral hormonal contraceptives are the most used. Despite this, unplanned pregnancies are a reality. The current study aimed to evaluate physicians’ sensibility to contraceptive counselling on the introduction of new therapies in women with underlying medical conditions and in polymedicated ones. It was a survey study with ten closed-ended questions. Physicians who care for women of reproductive age in a tertiary referral centre (n= 181). It was conducted an opinion survey among physicians who care for women of childbearing age. The differences in medical opinion considering age, sex, medical / surgical specialties and years of clinical practice were analyzed. In the introduction of new therapies, asked about the contraceptive method in use: always 16,6% (n=30) of respondents, nearly always 28,7% (n=52) and sometimes 44,8% (n=81). From these, 62% (n=101) neither provided complete information nor remitted to family planning appointments. When pregnancy was contraindicated 38,7% (n=70) informed about a safe method. About 89,5% (n=162) of the respondents didn't attended updates on contraception in the last year. Even though 64,6% (n= 117) considered it useful taking into account clinical practise. The respondents had poor knowledge about the resources in family planning, 79% (n=118). The female doctor showed a greater information about family planning topics (p=0,001). The younger physicians (<35 years old) and those with few years of clinical practise (