Determination of women's and reproductive health awareness in the female patient population applying to the Emergency Service of Akdeniz University Hospital

Objective: In this study, the level of knowledge about women's and reproductive health and possible disease symptoms were questioned in female patients aged 18 years and older, independent of the complaint of admission to the emergency department. The aim of the study is to determine the awareness level of women and reproductive health in the society and to determine the role of emergency services in contributing to the correct orientation of these patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, a structured questionnaire consisting of 18 questions and multiple-choice options was applied to women aged 18 and over who applied to the Emergency Department of Antalya Akdeniz University Hospital between January - February - March 2021 with a face-to-face interview technique. In the prepared questionnaire, questions about the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, personal habits, fertility and menstruation characteristics, gynecological and urological complaints, and birth control methods they used were included. Participants were also asked questions measuring their level of knowledge about cervical and breast cancer screenings. While being discharged from the emergency room, it was also asked whether the physician who made the evaluation in the emergency room made any referrals according to the patient's complaints and for screening-follow-up examinations. Results: A total of 523 women were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 38.89±14.32 (median: 36, min. 18 – max. 85). 91.6% of women lived in the city center. Looking at their educational status, 35% were university graduates, 25% were high school graduates, and 22.2% were primary school graduates. 63.3% of the participants were married and 31% were single. While 37.7% of the participants did not use any contraception method, 38.4% used one, the most used method was condom with 11.1%. 42.4% of the women stated that they did not know about the services KETEM provides. In comparisons according to educational status, it was seen that the rate of KETEM awareness, breast examination, HPV test, and mammography were higher and statistically significant in university graduates. It was determined that appropriate outpatient referral was made by the emergency physician, especially in the group with complaints, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about reproductive health and contraception methods and the use of KETEM services are still not at the desired level. Although there are a wide variety of effective and modern methods available today, it is common not to use contraception methods. Increasing, disseminating and maintaining reproductive health education and counseling services will largely eliminate the lack of information on this subject and prevent misapplications. Like this; women's health, reproductive health and public health will be able to be carried to a higher level. Keywords: Reproductive Health, Birth Control Methods, Contraception, Cancer Screening, Emergency Service