Evaluation of healthcare personnel's knowledge and attitudes regarding the use and interactions of oral contraceptives

Aim: To evaluate healthcare personnel’s level of knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of oral contraceptives, to determine their awareness of the interactions between these drugs and other medications or foods, and to contribute to health education by identifying potential knowledge gaps or misunderstandings. Material and Method: This study was designed as a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It was conducted among healthcare personnel working in healthcare institutions, and the data were collected through an online questionnaire form. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, utilizing frequency, percentage distributions, and significance tests. Ethical approval for the study was obtained, and the research was carried out in accordance with ethical guidelines. Results: The majority of healthcare personnel participating in the study were women (58.7%) aged between 20 and 40 years (80%), and pharmacists made up the largest professional group (35.3%). While 96% of the participants knew that oral contraceptives contain estrogen and progesterone, and 91.3% were aware of the correct timing to initiate use, their knowledge regarding drug and food interactions—such as those with rifampin, grapefruit juice, and St. John’s wort—was found to be low. Only 64% of the participants reported providing counseling on this topic. Responses to the open-ended question revealed that many healthcare professionals do not feel adequately competent in practice. Conclusion: The knowledge levels of healthcare professionals regarding the use of oral contraceptives, drug interactions, and counseling processes were evaluated. According to the analysis of the survey data, participants generally demonstrated sufficient knowledge of basic pharmacological concepts; however, their understanding of interactions—an area critical to clinical decision-making—was found to be insufficient. This highlights the importance of restructuring in-service training programs to specifically address areas where knowledge gaps exist.