Use of Contraceptive Methods Among Women in the General Population and Female Gynecologists in Spain: the ELEGIAN Survey

Abstract

Background: The contraceptive preferences of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are thought to influence the contraceptive counseling they provide. The purpose of this study was to assess contraceptive preferences of OB/GYNs and women in the general population (WGP) in the current Spanish contraceptive scenario. Materials and Methods: Anonymous online survey of 100 OB/GYNs and 1,217 WGP aged 23–49 years. Results: WGP were younger (35.3 – 7.3 vs. 37.9 – 6.2 years, respectively) and less likely to have stable partners (64.7% vs. 84.0%) and children (49.1% vs. 62.0%) (all p < 0.05 vs. OB/GYNs). Seventy-nine percent versus 82%, respectively, used contraceptive methods, with condoms used most frequently by WGP (37% vs. 22% by OB/GYNs; p < 0.05) and pills by OB/GYNs (26% vs. 21% by WGP; p > 0.05). Intrauterine devices (IUDs) were more frequently used by OB/GYNs (20% vs. 5%; p < 0.05), especially the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (LNG-IUDs) (18% vs. 2.6%; p < 0.05). The highest-rated methods were condoms among WGP and LNG-IUDs among OB/GYNs. Effectiveness was the most valued attribute of contraceptive methods for both. Reasons related to convenience were the main reason for choosing IUDs. OB/GYNs prescribed the contraceptive method in 40% of cases. Conclusions: Our study reveals differences between female OB/GYNs and WGP in contraceptive methods use and rating. The use of LNG-IUDs was much higher among OB/GYNs.