The need for family planning in psychiatric hospitals
Holloway, G.
Nursing Times 78(49): 2087-2088
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-7762 PMID: 6925204 Document Number: 190784
The need of family planning care for psychiatric inpatients was investigated. The following questions were asked: how many patients already use contraceptive methods; how many patients are considered to be in need of, or would benefit from, family planning advice; what form does present care take, if any; what contraceptive methods are currently used; what is the level of knowledge regarding contraception among psychiatric nurses; would staff feel confident in giving contraceptive advice; is it considered important or not important; and how many staff, at a patient's request and consent, would refer to a hospital based family planning service. The investigation, conducted at the psychiatric hospital where this nurse received psychiatric training, included both interview and questionnaire. The study was confined to 5 wards: 3 female admission wards and 2 female medium/long stay wards. 18 staff members participated in the survey, including 4 charge nurses, 7 staff nurses, 3 student nurses, 2 pupil nurses, and 2 nursing assistants. The total number of patients involved in the survey was 104. 45 patients were between the ages of 16-50. Of the 45 patients, 9 (20%) were already using contraceptive methods and 29 (64%) were considered to be in need of advice. The other 7 were known to be physiologically incapable of conception. Formal follow-up care was received by only 2 of the 9 patients using contraceptives, 1 receiving Depo-Provera, and 1 who was fitted with an IUD. The remaining 7 patients were taking oral contraceptives (OCs), given daily by ward staff. The nurses were asked 6 questions regarding family planning information which would have direct relevance to patients receiving contraceptive advice while in hospital. The percentage of unanswered or incorrectly answered questions was 69%. Only 3 nurses (17%) indicated they would feel confident to give family planning advice but all felt this care was important and would, at the patient's request, refer to a hospital based family planning service.