Contraception and reproductive planning from the perspective of women with sickle cell disease

To understand the perceptions of women with sickle cell disease (SCD) about reproductive planning in a public health service.

This is a qualitative study conducted with 15 women with SCD attended at a public hospital in Recife, between August 2018 and May 2019. Bardin's content analysis technique was used.

The women were between 25 and 38 years old, married, and had low education. After the analysis, four thematic categories emerged: information about contraception, use of contraceptive methods, feelings about pregnancy, and gynecological consultation. It was found that women with SCD are influenced by factors such as fear of complications during pregnancy, lack of information on reproductive planning, partners and health professional opinion, and difficulties in health service access.

The reports demonstrate that health workers need to improve the way through which information reaches the patient, to offer a more satisfactory professional practice.