Author(s)

Hadja Maimouna Barro Daff^1*, Khalifa Babacar Mansour Fall¹, Youssoupha Touré¹, Aïssatou Mbodji^1,2, Moussa Diallo^1,3, Abdoul Aziz Diouf^1,3, Magatte Mbaye^1,2, Khalifa Babacar Gueye¹, Babacar Biaye¹, Alassane Diouf^1,3

¹Public Institution Aristide-Le Dantec Health Center, Gynecological and Obstetric Clinic, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phillipe Maguilene Senghor Center, Yoff, Senegal.
³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pikine University Hospital, Thiaroye Pikine, Senegal.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the opinions of gynecologists, midwives, and interns/Specialist students practicing in Senegal about the use of IUD, and to assess factors that stand as obstacles to IUD prescribing. Patients and methods: An online questionnaire was developed to assess providers’ IUD practices and attitudes. The questionnaire was based on the one used in a Swiss study on the same topic. The platform used was Google forms. The questionnaire was shared in associative platforms involving gynecologists, midwives and interns/Specialist students. Results and comments: We received 292 feedbacks. Gynecologists represented 13.7% of the sample, interns and specialist students 11.3% and midwives 76%. Parity is a determining factor in IUD selection. The care-providers were concerned about the followings, which might have prevented the use of IUD, even though it was indicated: infections (75.7%), pelvic pain (61.3%), expulsion (48.3%), increased risk of perforation (46.9%), women’s appreciation (45.2%), ectopic pregnancy (33.9%) and sexual behavior (28.4%). Conclusion: Our study reveals that providers’ apprehensions and concerns severely limit the availability of IUDs. These concerns are often unfounded, based on personal experiences and not on official recommendations. Parity is a major obstacle.

Intrauterine Device, IUD, Parity, Gynecologists, Midwives, Interns

Daff, H. , Fall, K. , Touré, Y. , Mbodji, A. , Diallo, M. , Diouf, A. , Mbaye, M. , Gueye, K. , Biaye, B. and Diouf, A. (2021) Opinions and Perceptions of Gynecologists and Midwives on the Use of the Intrauterine Device in Senegal. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 11, 1484-1493. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2021.1111139.