[A structural approach to the evaluation of the quality of contraception services].

Abstract

The quality assessment of the contraceptive service in Belgrade in 1983 was conducted by a structural approach (investigation of the knowledge and attitudes of service providers and the availability of contraceptives). The summaries of the cited publications were used as the standard of knowledge and attitudes. A sample of 42 gynaecologists (16.6% of the total Belgrade population of gynaecologists) was investigated using a mailed questionnaire. Compared with the chosen standard:--two fields of knowledge about combined oral contraceptives (OC) appeared unknown to about 70% of the sample (OC protective effects and effects of previous OC use on the outcome of subsequent pregnancy);--knowledge of IUD as a risk factor in pelvic inflammatory disease is lacking in 33.3% of the sample;--attitudes regarding other contraceptive methods are in accord in about 60% of the investigated sample. Besides, the unavailability of contraceptives is recorded. Methodological shortcomings and a possible positive result of the study are discussed.