Questionnaire on the Midwives’ Knowledge about Oral Emergency Contraception

Abstract

SUMMARY – The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge of midwives working in different clinical settings about oral emergency contraception. The study included 225 midwives; during the period from December 2015 to February 2016, they completed a 16-item web-based survey using the SurveyMonkey software available on the Croatian Midwives Chamber site. In total 277 participants started to fill out the survey and 225 participants responded to all 16 questions. Demographic, educational and professional characteristics of the participants in this survey are provided. Distribution of participant responses to questions regarding basic reproductive endocrinology, unplanned pregnancies and emergency contraception clearly revealed important gaps in the group knowledge. There was evident gap in the knowledge about emergency contraception in the study group of Croatian midwives. Having in mind the study group grounds in gynecology and obstetrics, and their public health relevance, targeted educational activities both during midwife formal education and on-job are required to improve the group knowledge about emergency contraception. National guidelines on oral emergency contraception are an at hand learning tool and the most appropriate local source of information on emergency contraception. Various initiatives should be considered for this document to become an integral part of formal midwife education and regular part of their on-job trainings.