The Effect of Counseling and Family Planning Education on Knowledge and Attitude of Comorbid Families View PDF

^*Shirin Salajagheh
Anesthesia, Shafa Hospital, Kerman University Of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic Of

^*Corresponding Author:

Shirin Salajagheh
Anesthesia, Shafa Hospital, Kerman University Of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Islamic Republic Of
Email:shirin.135353@gmail.com

Published on: 2019-06-10

Abstract

To improve the comorbid families behavior, knowledge, and attitudes about evidence-based options, we undertook an educational intervention. In the current study, we evaluated the knowledge and attitude of the comorbid families about family planning options pre and post informing program. the knowledge and attitudes of the comorbid families about family planning options pre and post educational intervention, from Feb-2015 to April-2016. This is a pre-post intervention survey analysis of seventy-six monogamous married couples. Couples were sequentially enrolled if they met the inclusion criteria of harboring comorbidities when seeking family planning services. we evaluated the participants by using a questionnaire based on the health belief model prior to and following the educational intervention. Education sessions include an educational video program and a question and answer parts. For analyzing our data was used chi-square, paired t-test, Spearman and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Directed family planning education to couples with comorbidities significantly altered their attitude and knowledge. Counseling led to more informed choice behavior about family planning methods, by prioritizing permanent methods of vasectomy versus tubal ligation, especially after the education intervention (P<0.005). Family planning education and counseling directed to couples with multiple comorbidities should be a priority in health centers because the appropriate contraceptive choice will improve their health literacy and outcomes.

Keywords

Family planning; Knowledge; Attitude; Vasectomy

Introduction

Family planning and population control have been discussed for centuries. Kautilya (c.350-283 BC), the Indian political philosopher believed the population is as a source of political and economic strength. He described uncontrolled population growth as a social and public health disaster [1]. Family planning involves education, options counseling, and the clinical capability to provide services that allow individuals to control the number and the birth spacing of children if desired. We were interested in assessing choice behavior in family planning options in couples with medical co-morbidities. Medical comorbidities are often by worse health outcomes, more complex clinical management, and sometimes with high health care costs. Our study cohort had at least one chronic or disabling condition that could be worsened by many available family planning options or procedures that often lead to a discontinuation of contraceptives. According to recent studies, estrogen-containing contraceptives must be used by caution in women with significant cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease, or severe microvascular complications such as nephropathy with proteinuria or active proliferative retinopathy [2].