Contraception for Obese Women: Knowledge Gaps Provders Face

Abstract

ABSTRACT

CONTRACEPTION FOR OBESE WOMEN: KNOWLEDGE GAPS

By

Sandy Singleton

Bethany Whitener

Obesity and unintended pregnancy are tremendous issues in the United States today, and many times they do go hand in hand. Many obese women do desire and need effective contraception, and they depend on their healthcare provider for sound advice regarding safety and efficacy of contraceptive methods. Providers often face gaps and inconsistencies within the literature due to conflicting or unclear guidelines on the subject of providing hormonal contraception to obese women. These issues lead to failure of the provider to supply obese women with the safest and most effective method. The risk of unintended pregnancy outweighs the risks of contraceptive use in obese women. The aim of this project was to assess knowledge gaps that providers face when providing contraception to obese women. In the north Georgia area, a brief survey was conducted utilizing Survey Monkey targeting Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in various clinic settings. Participants were recruited by email invitation and were asked questions regarding their knowledge about various contraception methods relating to both safety and efficacy in overweight/obese women. Results will be collected and analyzed by SPSS to run statistical analysis to identify knowledge gaps that healthcare providers are currently facing regarding this issue.

KEYWORDS: Contraception, Obesity, Unintended Pregnancy, Contraception Safety, Contraception Efficacy, Obese Women, Hormonal Contraception