Family planning provider and contraceptive care setting: the relationship to contraceptive behavior.

Telephone interviews with a sample of 1057 US female contraceptive acceptors underscored the important role of medical providers in contraceptive behavior. 91% of participants had seen a gynecologist or other physician specialist in the 3 years preceding the study; only 14% had consulted a non-physician provider. 78% of these women had sought care in the private sector and 68% were seen by male providers. 45% indicated that their care provider encouraged them to use a specific contraceptive method largely the pill vaginal sponge and diaphragm. A significantly higher percentage of physicians (31%) than non-physicians recommended the vaginal sponge while a higher percentage of female providers (32%) than male providers (20%) suggested the diaphragm. 84% of respondents stated that they adopted the recommended method although recommendations by physicians were more influential than those by other family planning personnel. Only 27% of respondents reported that their provider discouraged them from using a particular device generally the pill or IUD. Over 3/4 of providers informed their patients about the effectiveness of the method recommended and 2/3 provided information about side effects and the methods mechanism of action. However a significantly higher percentage of non-physicians than physicians communicated this information especially in terms of how the method works. Women in clinic settings were more likely than those in private settings to receive thorough counseling. 55% of acceptors were extremely satisfied that their birth control needs were met and another 28% were somewhat satisfied. Mean satisfaction scores were higher for non-physicians than physicians and for female providers compared to male providers.