Introduction

Since the 1960s oral contraceptives have been used as an effective form of contraception. In order to standardize and guide the prescription of these drugs in special situations, the WHO launched the guide “WHO Eligibility Criteria for use of hormonal contraceptives”.

Objective

This article aims to evaluate 5thand 6th year students’ knowledge about the prescription of hormonal contraceptives according to the WHO guidelines.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to 5th and 6th year medicine students from a University in Goiânia (GO). Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate the correct prescription of hormonal contraceptive methods in special situations. Univariate analysis was performed and the data were arranged in frequency tables.

Results

Of the 92% of the students who answered the questionnaire, 72% felt able to prescribe hormonal contraceptive methods. Correct answers ranged from 3% in the correct prescription to mild hypertensive patients, to 27% to women with a mild headache and without focal signs.

Conclusion

Most of the student respondents felt able to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. However many of them had inconsistent knowledge when facing special situations of clinical practice. Given the importance of the issue at hand and considering that these students will soon be working as doctors, we suggest a review of the undergraduate medical curriculum.

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