[PRO-PATER Survey. Level of information use counseling and practice of family planning by the physicians of Sao Paulo Brazil]

Personal or familial attitudes and professional practice of contraceptive method use among physicians is described. The study was done in Sao Paulo City Brazil between April and May 1984. 660 physicians from 7 hospitals were interviewed. The results showed that 28.8% had received adequate education about family planning during school principally Sao Paulo and South Region universities. The large majority had received education about surgical contraceptives. 69.5% used contraceptive methods personally or familially; 28.5% used a surgical method and 24.4% pills or IUDs. 2/3 of the interviewees that did not use a surgical method said they may use it in the future. 44.2% of the physicians male patients asked for information about contraception compared to 59% of the female patients. 41.7% of the physicians suggested pills to the patients; 38.6% IUD; 22.9% vasectomy; 22.6% tubal ligation. Suggestions made about contraceptive methods depended on the age and parity of patients. All interviewed physicians agreed that patients should receive information about risks and benefits of the methods before using them. Only 7.3% thought that Brazilian men had a favorable attitude about vasectomy. Lack of information about vasectomy was the principal reason to explain the low prevalence of the method among Brazilian men.