Evaluation of health workers' attitudes andknowledge levels on contraception; TokatGaziosmanpaşa University Hospital sample

Purpose: This study was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study in order to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge levels of healthcare workers on contraception. Materials and Methods: The universe of the study consisted of healthcare workers working at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital. No sample calculation was made in the study and online surveys were sent to the participants via WhatsApp between 01.06.2024-01.09.2024. Data collection was completed by reaching one participant to another using the snowball sampling method. A total of 205 healthcare workers were reached. Data; Personal Information Form, Birth Control Methods and Duration of Use Form and Contraceptive Knowledge Assessment Scale (CAB) were used. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann Whitney u test were used in the evaluation of the data. Findings: It was determined that 60.0% of the health workers were between the ages of 22-29, 59.0% were women, 62.4% were doctors and 63.9% had been working in the profession for 1-5 years. It was determined that 63.9% of the participants did not have children, 58.0% had sexual intercourse, 44.4% wanted to have children later, 13.6% used condoms as a birth control method and 22.1% had used condoms in the past. When the reasons for quitting the contraceptive method used in the past were evaluated, it was determined that 48.7% of those who used oral contraceptive pills and 73.3% of those who used intrauterine devices quit the method because they wanted to get pregnant. The total score average of the KBDS was 17.80±4.06. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the total score of the KBDS and income level, occupation, unit of employment, postgraduate education on reproductive health/contraceptive methods, status of providing consultancy services on reproductive health/contraceptive methods, duration of intrauterine device use, duration of those who did not use the method in the past, duration of condom-withdrawal use in the past, and status of using emergency contraception (p<0.05). Sub-Conclusion: It was determined that health workers preferred modern birth control methods and it was determined that their level of knowledge about contraception was good. It is thought that in-service trainings organized for contraceptive methods will be effective in ensuring that health workers learn the changing and renewed information about modern contraceptive methods. Keywords: health workers, contraception, attitude, knowledge