Effectiveness of an Instructional Program on Female Secondary Schools Teacher's Knowledge Concerning Contraceptive Methods at Baghdad City

Objective: The study aims to assess the effectiveness of an instructional program on Female Secondary Schools Teachers' Knowledge Concerning Contraceptive Methods at Baghdad City. Methodology: A Self-controlled and crossover trails study design was conducted, included (100) Female married Secondary Schools Teachers aged between (20-49) years,(25)schools in Al Russafa sector, and (25) in Al Karkh sector, from May 22 th , 2014 to September 25 th 2015, to assess the effectiveness of an instructional program on female secondary schools teachers' knowledge concerning contraceptive methods by using time series approach of data analysis and the application of pre-post tests approach for the study sample. A nonprobability (purposive) sample of (100) female married teachers, two from each school were selected. A questionnaire format was used for data collection. The questionnaire validity was determined through a panel of experts. The reliability was estimated through a pilot study. The data was analyzed through the application of descriptive and inferential statistics approaches. All the procedures were tested at p≤ 0.05. Results: The study reveals that most teachers aged 20-49 years, have 6-10 years of experiences, the majority have bachelor degree, and married at (24-28) years old, have (1-3) pregnancy and delivery respectively. History of previous abortion constitute for 24% of teachers, third of these were induced abortion. Concerning teachers' knowledge about contraceptive methods, the results showed that their knowledge in general was good after implementation an instructional program, and they were benefited from the implementation of health instructional program; however, their knowledge were adequately improved and developed., with respect to the total relative sufficiency (RS) which was changing from (71.44 %) in pretest to (91.49%) in posttest -1, to (92.86%) in post-test 2 respectively. Recommendations: The study recommends that there is a need for continuous health education in the field of family planning which is necessary, counseling , provision and increase availability of different methods in all primary health care centers of Iraq. Family planning programs should involve men as well as women, and. Increasing Community awareness of family planning and the advantages of child spacing through mass media. Keyword: Effectiveness, Knowledge, Contraceptive methods.