Exploring the knowledge, attitude, and practice of family planning services among healthcare workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Cross-sectional online survey-based research

Abstract

Introduction: Family planning services have a pivotal role in encouraging reproductive health and ensuring the well-being of individuals, families, and communities worldwide. This current research aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding family planning services. Methodology: An online survey among female health workers was conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 1st to July 31st, 2023, for 5 months. The survey questionnaire was designed to assess KAP regarding family planning methods, implementation, and associated variables. Results: Among the 319 participants, 15% had primary education, 21% were diploma holders, and 64% were graduates. Most participants (65.5%) had a monthly household income of less than Rs. 50,000, and 71.2% were married. Regarding family size, 61.3% had two or more children. All participants were familiar with family planning methods, with 89.5% receiving information from trainers and 9.5% through self-study. Over 85% provided correct information on family planning methods, with high accuracy across different types of contraceptive methods. Regarding attitudes, 80% of participants had a positive attitude towards family planning, 82% reported regular practice, and 94.3% advocated for an appropriate gap between childbirth. Additionally, 77.3% encouraged others to use family planning, and 82.6% believed it improved living standards. Conclusion: The study concludes that attitudes and practices are influenced by knowledge of family planning methods. While awareness and positive attitudes were evident, utilization remained lower than desired. Factors such as education level, income, marital status, family size, and participation in training were highly associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.