Perpetuating negative attitudes about the intrauterine device: textbooks lag behind the evidence.

Full Abstract

This study examined current textbooks and manuals to discern whether their presentations of the Copper T380A intrauterine device are accurate, current, and objective. Thirteen medical student obstetrics and gynecology texts used in the US and five from the UK were evaluated for information presented about the Copper T-380A intrauterine device. A scoring system was developed to record the presence or absence of characteristics of intrauterine device usage. The two authors independently reviewed the texts and completed code sheets. In general, advantages of the device were under-reported while disadvantages were exaggerated. Review of US texts identified inaccuracies regarding the device's mechanism of action; 5 of 13 did not include its prefertilization action. Despite evidence to the contrary, 9 of 13 texts reported an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease associated with intrauterine device use; 6 of 13 reported an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy; and 4 of 13 reported an increased risk of infertility. Review of UK texts yielded similar results regarding advantages and disadvantages, as well as mechanism of action. The UK texts presented fewer inaccuracies regarding intrauterine device risks. Most texts from both countries implied that the intrauterine device is a method of last resort. Texts commonly used by medical students on women's health rotations may not be evidence-based in the information presented about the intrauterine device.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Espey, Eve (E); Ogburn, Tony (T);

Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5286, USA. eespey(-atsign-)salud.unm.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Contraception (Contraception), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jun; vol 65 (issue 6) : pp 389-95

Dates: Created 2002/07/19; Completed 2003/01/28; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12127635, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel
Contraception
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.