Knowledge,attitude and practice about postpartum contraception among health professionals and puerperae

Objective To study and compare the status quo of knowledge, attitude and practice about postpartum contraception among health professionals and puerperae.Methods A total of 388 health professionals and 1 264 puerperae in obstetric departments of 8 general hospitals in Zhejiang province were recruited and surveyed with a questionnaire.Results The correct rate for postpartum contraception knowledge was 57.1% and 38.2% among the health professionals and puerperae, with the mean scores of 6.27±1.12 and 4.20±1.21, respectively.More than 90% of the health professionals and puerperae thought that conducting health education for postpartum contraception was necessary or extremely necessary, without significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05);49.0% of the health professionals reported that they conducted postpartum contraception health education frequently among puerperae and 45.7% of the puerperae reported that they consulted related contraception knowledge actively.The main education methods adopted by the health professionals were face-to-face consultation and distribution of written materials such as discharge guidance.The ways of postpartum contraception introduced by the health professionals were usage of condom and intrauterine device and intercourse prohibition period after the delivery.Conclusion Both health professionals and puerperae have positive attitude towards health education on postpartum contraception, but their related knowledge and practice need to be improved.