Knowledge and Perceptions of IUDs among Public and Private Sector Providers in Nepal

Nirali M. Chakraborty, Population Services International (PSI)
Mahesh Paudel, Population Services International (PSI)
Sriju Sharma, Population Services International (PSI)
Katia Peterson, Population Services International (PSI)

In light of a multi-year donor supported project to increase access to long-acting reversible contraceptives and safe abortion, PSI/Nepal undertook a quantitative study to understand the perceptions and knowledge of providers in Nepal with regard to IUDs. 354 providers, stratified into those participating in the PSI network intervention and similarly profiled controls, were interviewed in 2012 in the first round of a longitudinal study. Out of 9 multiple choice and true false questions about the IUD, 60% of providers had 7 or more questions correct, without significant differences between network and non-network providers. Overall accuracy on questions regarding medical eligibility for the IUD was low, with 24% of providers answering correctly on seven or more questions, with the maximum number of correct answers being 9. PSI supervisors can work with providers to reinforce medical eligibility, and address other barriers to IUD provision.