Training in the symptothermal method to ameliorate unmet need for family planning: knowledge, attitudes and satisfaction.

Background: Addressing the unmet need for family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies is a high priority for women's health, and training as an element of the symptothermal method (STM) is deemed to be an effective strategy. This study assessed training on knowledge, attitudes and satisfaction with STM to ameliorate the unmet need for family planning.

Methods: The study adopted a pre-post study design. A total of 136 women participated in this study. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed pre- and post-training as well as the level of satisfaction, using cycle charts and questionnaires. The χ2 test (p<0.05) was used to analyse data on sociodemographics, attitudinal characteristics and satisfaction. Paired samples t-test (p<0.05) was used to establish the mean difference of the two groups (knowledge and attitudes pre- and post-training).

Results: The paired samples t-test established that women have significant (t=-058.716, p=0.001) knowledge post-training (1.0000±0.00000) compared with pre-training (0.0682±0.01587) on STM. There was no significant (t=-1.419, p=0.158) difference in attitudes towards STM pre- and post-training. There was a significant level of satisfaction (p=0.001).

Conclusions: Our interventional study has enabled women to acquire robust knowledge, positive attitudes and satisfaction with the utilization of STM. This has ameliorated unmet need for family planning among participants.