I recently read an article about research into adults’
knowledge of reproductive health. The research itself focused on adults’
perceived level of knowledge and their actual ability to correctly answer
questions related to risks or health benefits of birth control methods,
abortion and pregnancy. The research also recorded demographic information to
learn more about whether one’s social position on abortion may be related to
one’s actual knowledge-base. For example, one of the questions asked participants
to determine whether first trimester abortion or childbirth was riskier to a
woman’s health. Only thirty percent (30%) chose the correct answer, which was
that childbirth is riskier than a first trimester abortion. That leaves the
majority of adults who believe childbirth and first trimester abortion are
equally risky or who believe that childbirth is safer.
A question related to use of birth control asked
participants to determine which percentage of women used some form of birth
control at some point in their lives, with the correct answer being ninety-nine
percent (99%). Only sixteen percent (16%) of respondents selected this as their
answer. More than half answered that just three-fourths of women use birth
control at some point. While the study does not specifically state what
constitutes birth control, participants’ responses can be seen as indicating
that many people are either not aware of women’s use of birth control and/or
have different views about what constitutes birth control. Birth control, in
the broadest sense, is anything done to prevent or otherwise deter pregnancy
from taking place. This would include the rhythm method and withdrawal, and
even the morning after pill, which is not an abortive and will not prevent
implantation (according to the latest research) or otherwise abort a fertilized
egg. For the record, the morning after pill has no effect on a fertilized egg.
It’s only benefit is to delay or stop ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred,
a woman has just as much chance of getting pregnant as she would if she did not
take the morning after pill.
Knowledge of the benefits of oral contraceptives is lacking.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) of respondents correctly answered that oral contraceptives
are believed to be protective against ovarian cancer. Twenty-eight percent
(28%) claimed this was not true and forty-seven percent (47%) were unsure as to
whether birth control pills conveyed any health benefits for ovarian cancer.
Not only has birth control pill research backed this up, but also other
research into the age of first menstruation, the age of menopause and the
number of pregnancies has all supported the idea that fewer cycles of ovulation
are protective against the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Considering the
survey results, I will be clear and state that the reason pregnancy conveys
protection is because ovulation is suppressed during gestation, and if a woman
breastfeeds, ovulation can be further delayed for sometimes up to a year after
childbirth.
The most disturbing part of the survey was that women who
had an abortion were more likely to answer incorrectly about the risks
associated with abortion where future pregnancy is concerned, and where the
actual risk of the procedure is concerned. The second most disturbing result
was that eighty-one (81%) of survey participants claimed they believed their
general knowledge base of reproductive health was high. The third most
disturbing result, yet not surprising either, is that respondents who want to
limit or eliminate abortion are more likely to answer the questions about birth
control and abortion incorrectly. This may indicate that their beliefs are
distorted by misinformation. Another surprising result was that men more often answered
correctly than women where questions around the risks of abortion and
childbirth were explored by the researchers. Of course, this may not
necessarily mean that men are actually more knowledgeable than women about the
risks of abortion and childbirth, but rather may indicate that men view anything
to do with women’s reproductive health as inherently risky.
The article I read was addressed to a professional audience
of physicians and other healthcare workers who interact with women around
reproductive health care as a call to never assume a level of knowledge or
understanding. The author instead advocated for providing information, even if
a patient indicated she already knew about birth control, oral contraceptives,
abortion, pregnancy and childbirth or whatever reproductive health issue being
discussed and/or treated. I’m writing this article to remind women and men to
be informed. Maybe you don’t have a need right now to run out and get the
latest issue of “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” or another text on women’s health.
However, before you make decisions about reproductive healthcare, make sure you
get reputable, scientifically supported information and education about all
options. Most of us have a health class in sixth-grade about puberty. We then
are fortunate if we get a class in high school that goes beyond abstinence-only
information. After that, while we might scan the internet for information, or
ask friends, we’re typically embarrassed to ask our physicians questions or to
verify information. Speak up! Visit reputable websites—not those with scare
tactics, and know your options. Your health depends on it.
