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Knowledge of medical abortion among Brazilian medical students
Author(s) -
Fernandes Karayna Gil,
Camargo Rodrigo Pauperio Soares,
Duarte Graciana Alves,
Faúndes Anibal,
Sousa Maria Helena,
Maia Filho Nelson Lourenço,
Pacagnella Rodolfo Carvalho
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.05.004
Subject(s) - misoprostol , medical abortion , abortion , curriculum , medicine , family medicine , bivariate analysis , test (biology) , medical education , psychology , pregnancy , pedagogy , paleontology , statistics , genetics , mathematics , biology
Objective To assess the knowledge of Brazilian medical students regarding medical abortion (MA) and the use of misoprostol for MA, and to investigate factors influencing their knowledge. Methods All students from 3 medical schools in São Paulo State were invited to complete a pretested structured questionnaire with precoded response categories. A set of 12 statements on the use and effects of misoprostol for MA assessed their level of knowledge. Of about 1260 students invited to participate in the study, 874 completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 69%. The χ 2 test was used for the bivariate analysis, which was followed by multiple regression analysis. Results Although all students in their final year of medical school had heard of misoprostol for termination of pregnancy, and 88% reported having heard how to use it, only 8% showed satisfactory knowledge of its use and effects. Academic level was the only factor associated with the indicators of knowledge investigated. Conclusion The very poor knowledge of misoprostol use for MA demonstrated by the medical students surveyed at 3 medical schools makes the review and updating of the curriculum urgently necessary.