Practice on Birth Spacing Services Provided by Private General Practitioners in Western District of Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

This cross sectional study was conducted to study the factors affecting practice on birth spacing services provided by private general practitioners in western district of Yangon, Myanmar. A total sample of 189 private general practitioners answered the self-administered questionnaires from January to March, 2004 . Result of the study revealed that majority was male, more than 40 years of age, married, had 1-2 children and hold only M.B., B.S. degree. Only eighteen percent of respondents who finished medical degree attended the second degree, 58.7 % of the second degree was diploma in general practice. Most of them attended only one birth spacing training program. In overall, 56.1 % of the respondents had good level in providing birth spacing services. Majority of the respondents have moderate level of knowledge and negative attitude on birth spacing services (44.9 % and 57.1 %, respectively). Educational level had significant relationship with level of practice on providing birth spacing services. There was statistically significant association between birth spacing training and almost all clinic working condition factors, except clinic working days per week. Level of knowledge and attitude were also statistically significant in association with level of practice on providing birth spacing services. Age, sex marital status and number of children were not statistically associated with practice on providing birth spacing services. Based on the finding from this study, it is recommended that diploma in general practice program and birth spacing training should be continued for improving knowledge and attitude towards birth spacing. Distributing enough materials to the private general practitioners and training for doctor’s assistants on counseling methods should be supported.