Health Workers' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Lactational Amenorrhea at Family Health Centers
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18862577Keywords:
Lactational Amenorrhea Method, Breastfeeding, , Family Planning, Healthcare Workers, Postpartum ContraceptionAbstract
Introduction: The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is an effective, low-cost postpartum family planning strategy when applied under three essential criteria: amenorrhea, exclusive and frequent breastfeeding, and an infant younger than six months. Healthcare professionals play a key role in providing accurate counseling on LAM; however, knowledge gaps may limit the method’s effective use.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers employed at Family Health Centers in Şanlıurfa regarding LAM.
Method: This descriptive study was conducted between September and October 2024 among 166 healthcare workers from 28 Family Health Centers. Data were collected using an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of LAM, and knowledge of LAM criteria.
Results: Although 87.3% had heard of LAM and 85.5% reported being familiar with the method, correct knowledge of key criteria was limited. While 65.1% correctly identified the effective postpartum period for LAM, only 4.8% demonstrated full knowledge of breastfeeding requirements, and merely 1.2% correctly identified all menstrual bleeding characteristics indicating method failure.
Conclusion: Despite high awareness of LAM, substantial gaps exist in healthcare workers’ detailed knowledge of the essential criteria for its effectiveness—particularly regarding menstrual bleeding characteristics. Regular training programs and updated counseling protocols are recommended to strengthen healthcare workers’ knowledge and enhance the quality of postpartum family planning services in regions with high numbers of breastfeeding women.
References
Sarı FN. Emzirmenin anneye faydaları. Türk Dünyası Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi Yenidoğan Dergisi. 2017;2(2):230-238.
Calik-Ksepka A, Stradczuk M, Czarnecka K, Grymowicz M, Smolarczyk R. Lactational Amenorrhea: Neuroendocrine Pathways Controlling Fertility and Bone Turnover. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(3):1633.
Vekemans M. Postpartum contraception: The lactational amenorrhea method. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. 1997;2(2):105-111.
Topal S, Çınar N, Altınkaynak S. Emzirmenin anne sağlığına yararları. Journal of Human Rhythm. 2017;3(1):25-31.
Labbok MH, Hight-Laukaran V, Peterson AE, Fletcher V, von Hertzen H, Van Look PF. Multicenter study of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): I. Efficacy, duration, and implications for clinical application. Contraception. 1997;55(6):327-336.
ACAR BT. Emzirme ve Gebelikten Korunma. Turkiye Klinikleri Obstetric-Women's Health and Diseases Nursing-Special Topics. 2021;7(5):86-92.
Andersen AN, Schiøler V. Influence of breast-feeding pattern on pituitary-ovarian axis of women in an industrialized community. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982;143(6):673-677.
Perez A, Vela P, Masnick GS, Potter RG. First ovulation after childbirth: the effect of breast-feeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1972;114(8):1041-1047.
Rominski SD, Sk Morhe E, Maya E, Manu A, Dalton VK. Comparing Women's Contraceptive Preferences With Their Choices in 5 Urban Family Planning Clinics in Ghana. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2017;5(1):65-74.
Silumbwe A, Nkole T, Munakampe MN, Milford C, Cordero JP, Kriel Y, et al. Community and health systems barriers and enablers to family planning and contraceptive services provision and use in Kabwe District, Zambia. BMC Health Services Research. 2018;18(1):390.
Fabic MS, Choi Y. Assessing the quality of data regarding use of the lactational amenorrhea method. Stud Fam Plann. 2013;44(2):205-221.
Berens P, Labbok M. ABM Clinical Protocol #13: Contraception During Breastfeeding, Revised 2015. Breastfeed Med. 2015;10(1):3-12.
Solo J, Festin M. Provider Bias in Family Planning Services: A Review of Its Meaning and Manifestations. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2019;7(3):371-385.
Balkaya NA, Özsoy S, Aksu H, Demirsoy Horta G. Knowledge, Choices and Counseling Practices of Health Personnel Related to Not Commonly Used of Contraceptive Methods: A Cross Sectional Study in Western of Turkey. Kocaeli Medical Journal. 2021;10(1):38-49.
Özsoy S, Aksu H, Akdolun Balkaya N, Demirsoy Horta G. Knowledge and Opinions of Postpartum Mothers About the Lactational Amenorrhea Method: The Turkish Experience. Breastfeed Med. 2018;13(1):70-74.
Najafi-Sharjabad F, Hajivandi A, Rayani M. Knowledge, attitude, and practice about Emergency Contraception among health staff in Bushehr state, south of Iran. Glob J Health Sci. 2013;6(1):52-60.
Dehlendorf C, Levy K, Ruskin R, Steinauer J. Health care providers' knowledge about contraceptive evidence: a barrier to quality family planning care? Contraception. 2010;81(4):292-298.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Acta Medica Ruha
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
