Information sources and level of knowledge of contraception issues among Greek women and men in the reproductive age: a country-wide survey
Tountas, Y.; Creatsas, G.; Dimitrakaki, C.; Antoniou, A.; Boulamatsis, D.
European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care the Official Journal of the European Society of Contraception 9(1): 1-10
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1362-5187 PMID: 15352689 DOI: 10.1080/13625180410001696250Document Number: 233835
Good reproductive health depends to a great extent on how well informed people are on contraception issues. Contrary to the situation existing in many European countries, in Greece there has been a lack of studies investigating how well informed Greek women and men are. Also, the sources on which they draw are equally important. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge of Greek women and men on issues of contraception, with the ultimate goal of identifying which groups should be the focus of prevention planning programs. A country-wide survey was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire. The sample, numbering 1500 people, was representative of the Greek population aged 16-45 years. A key finding was that only a small percentage of the respondents were able to answer correctly 50% or more of the questions on knowledge of basic contraceptive issues (30.6% of women and 14.7% of men). Regarding sources of information, media and friends were reported as the primary sources of information for men of all ages and young women. The gynecologist becomes a significant source of consultation for women only after the age of 25 years. Even then, only 4% of women visiting a gynecologist do so to obtain information on prevention of pregnancy. The majority of women asking professional advice have already experienced an unwanted pregnancy. The need for health education is apparent, especially for young people.