KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES REGARDING HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANTS AMONG SAMPLE OF CHILDBEARING AGE WOMEN ATTENDING OUTPATIENT CLINICS IN AL-IMAMMEIN AL-KADHIMEIN MEDICAL CITY IN BAGHDAD/ 2025

Abstract

Background: Hormonal contraceptive implants are long-acting reversible contraceptives are small, flexible rods inserted subdermally in the upper arm by trained providers, that offer highly effective birth control through the continuous release of synthetic progestin hormones. These implants are widely recognized for their efficacy, convenience, and reversibility, making them a key option in modern family planning strategies. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study used apre-structured questionnaire adopted from previous literatures. A convenient sample of 300 participants of childbearing age women were recruited from the outpatient clinics in Al-Imammein Al-Kadhmein medical city in Baghdad. The current study was carried out over a period of seven months, from 1st of February 2025 to end of August 2025. The questionnaire consisted of 5 parts, the first part was about Sociodemographic information. The second part was about Reproductive History. The third part measure participants knowledge. The fourth part was about attitude towards hormonal implants, the last part was about hormonal implants practices. The data collected by direct interview, and analysed by using statistical package for social science version 26. Results: The results showed that 166 (55.3%) of participants were not knowledgeable and only 134 (44.7%) were knowledgeable while regarding attitude, 177 (59.0%) had a negative attitude and 123 (41.0%) had a positive one. Only 30 (10.0%) of the participants had ever used hormonal implants, from them, 20 (66.7%) were willing to continue using it. A statistically significant association was found between knowledge of the participants and the educational level, occupation, monthly income, miscarriage history, and implant use. Attitude was significantly associated with age group, educational level, and implant use. Use of hormonal implants was significantly associated with the participants age group, age at first childbirth, monthly income, and miscarriage history. Conclusions: More than half of the participants lacked knowledge and had negative attitudes towards hormonal implants. Using hormonal implants was low. Education, monthly income, and personal reproductive history were important factors influencing knowledge, attitude, and practice. Raising awareness and community education may enhance acceptance and use of long-acting contraceptives like hormonal implants.