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Contraceptive methods: knowledge sources rated by women and men.
I Virjo1, A L Kirkkola, M Isokoski
1University of Tampere, Medical School, Department of General Practice, Finland. meirvi@uta.fi
Contraception
|August 24, 1999
Summary
Physicians are central information sources for contraception knowledge for both men and women. However, literature and partners are also key, especially for men, highlighting the need for integrated health communication strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Communication
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Individuals access diverse information sources for contraception knowledge.
- Health care professionals are often primary sources of health information.
- Understanding the relative importance of these sources is crucial for effective health communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the importance of various contraception information sources.
- To determine the specific role of physicians among these sources.
- To inform health professionals about community information networks.
Main Methods:
- Random sampling of 393 women and 395 men from the Finnish population.
- Response rates of 56% for women and 45% for men.
- Utilized a visual analog scale to assess knowledge gained from different sources.
Main Results:
- For women, key sources included literature, physicians, and women's journals.
- For men, literature and spouse/partner were the most significant sources.
- Younger individuals received more information from school nurses and teachers compared to older groups.
Conclusions:
- Physicians play a pivotal role in disseminating contraception information.
- Awareness of other community information sources is essential for physicians.
- Healthcare providers should adapt their communication strategies to complement existing information channels.