Practices and knowledge of female gynecologists regarding contraceptive use: a real-world Chinese survey

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence of the practices of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) regarding contraceptive use and determinants influencing contraceptive choices, including emergency methods such as combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNGIUS). This survey determines the practices and knowledge among Chinese female OB/GYNs regarding modern contraceptive methods. METHODS: A multicenter questionnaire was completed by 2000 female OB/GYNs participating in training courses organized by the gynecological endocrinology training committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association from February to May 2013. RESULTS: This survey achieved a response rate of 51.4%. The rate of induced abortion among this group was 56.3%; this may be attributable to unreliable contraceptive methods (55.5%) and failure of reliable contraceptive methods (18.9%). Intrauterine devices (IUDs) were more commonly used by parous women than nulliparous women (42.6% vs 1.7%; p < 0.0001), followed by condom and rhythm method (24.2% vs 20.8%). However, nulliparous women commonly used rhythm method (48.3% vs 3.3%; p < 0.0001) and condoms (19.2% vs 10.5%; p = 0.008). OB/GYNs demonstrated misconceptions of OB/GYNs about COCs, such as the risk of breast cancer, amenorrhea and premature ovarian failure, and decreased fertility as reported by 37.10, 10.6, and 7.5% of the respondents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IUDs were commonly used by parous Chinese OB/GYNs. Unreliable contraceptive methods and misconceptions about the side effects of COCs may result in the high rate of unintended pregnancies. Hence, awareness of safe and effective contraceptive methods should be strengthened among OB/GYNs in China.