Abstract
This study was conducted to assess providers' attitudes toward the provision of long-term methods of contraception, in particular the IUD, and provider concerns about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the context of family planning (FP) services. The data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Between 65% and 80% of the public and private providers thought that the IUD is a good contraceptive method for Zimbabwean women. In addition, the majority of these two provider groups felt that neither the IUD nor tubal sterilization (TL) posed much risk of HIV infection to the client. A significant number of providers (especially the public nurses), however, thought that the provision of TL put the provider at high risk of HIV infection and a significant proportion of public nurses were also concerned about provider risk associated with providing IUD and injectable s. To address such concerns, future training interventions should emphasize appropriate infection prevention practices associated with surgical FP method provision. Nurses, in particular, should be informed about the magnitude of risk associated with FP service provision and ways to protect themselves. Logistic activities also need to be strengthened so that legitimate concerns among providers regarding lack of adequate infection prevention supplies (e.g. gloves) in the field can be addressed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zimbabwe Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc. Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 1988. Calverton, Maryland: Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc; 1989.
Shelton J, Angle J, Jacobstein R. Medical barriers to access to family planning. Lancet. 1992;340: 1334-5.
Mahomed K, Kasule J, Makuyana D et al. Seroprevalence of HIV infection amongst antenatal women in greater Harare, Zimbabwe. Central African Journal of Medicine. 1991;37(10):322-5.
Munodawafa D, Bowen DA, Webb AA. Perceived vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in the US and Zimbabwe. Int Nurs Rev. 1993;40(1):13-16,24.
Woelk G. Summary of Findings of the IUCD Operations Research Project. World Bank; August 1990. An Internal World Bank Report.
Levy PS, Lemeshow S. Sampling for Health Professionals. California: Lifetime Learning Publications; 1980.
Zimbabwe Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc. Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 1994. Calverton, Maryland: Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc; 1995.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council. A situational analysis of the family planning programme. The Population Council's Africa OR/TA Project, Family Planning Service Expansion and Technical Support (SEATS) Project. March 1992. A ZNFPC Council Project Report.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gaffikin, L., Phiri, A., McGrath, J. et al. Provider attitudes toward IUD provision in Zimbabwe: perception of HIV risk and training implications. Advances in Contraception 14, 27–39 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006519409808
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006519409808