Impact of information source on contraceptive knowledge and practice among women with unintended pregnancies in Ukraine

Study objective: To identify main information source about contraception among women with unintended pregnancies, who opted for induced abortion in Ukraine. Additionally, to evaluate the impact of information source on the women's previous usage of effective contraceptive methods. Participants/Methods: The data was collected through face-to-face interviews with women who opted for induced abortion (N=200) in Kyiv (Ukraine) district hospital between March-May 2009. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square procedure were used to assess the association between information source and previous usage of effective contraceptive methods. Principal Findings: Of the respondents, 39% reported that health care provider was the main information source (gynecologist or family doctor), 28.5% acquired their knowledge from mass media (TV, journals), 26% -from family members or friends and 6.5% -from school program. Level of contraceptive knowledge appeared to be higher if the knowledge was obtained from health care professional. For instance, 46% of women were aware of more than one effective method of contraception if they received their knowledge from qualified provider (chisq=8.7, p-value= 0.043). Discussion: Previous usage of effective contraceptive methods was correlated with information source (chisq=9.26, p-value=0.01): 47% of women used effective methods of contraception (IUD, pills) if they received information from the physician. On contrary, only 14% of women used effective methods if they gathered information about contraception from family or friends. Conclusions: Information source appeared to play crucial role in the contraceptive choices. Therefore, healthcare providers should improve the provision of information regarding effective methods of contraception to women with unintended pregnancies in Ukraine.