Are Serbian gynaecologists in line with modern family planning?

In Serbia, gynaecologists could play an important role in achieving the transition from an abortion-based family planning culture to a modern contraception-based one. Exploring their knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding birth control is of particular importance for ensuring the quality of contraceptive counselling.

A questionnaire was sent to all the 1,139 members of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section of the Serbian Medical Society. The response rate was 27%.

Of the respondents, 61.8% reported that either they or their partner had had one or more induced abortions; 37.6% stated that they usually used either coitus interruptus or no contraceptive method at all; 51.0% were unwilling to prescribe combined oral contraceptives (COCs) to girls younger than 18 years, and 76.5% advised women against the use of COCs for more than two years. Irrational concerns about the health risks of contraception were identified. The contraceptive needs of women aged 20 + were particularly hampered by the fact that 75.5% of respondents thought that intrauterine device use was unsafe for women with benign, non infectious cervicitis.

The results indicate that a significant number of Serbian gynaecologists neither use modern methods of contraception themselves nor have adequate knowledge to advise their patients. Thus, education and training of gynaecologists in all methods of available contraception is a priority in Serbia.