10 pages, 416 KB   Open AccessArticle The Role of Medical Counseling in the Use of Contraceptive Methods: A Cross-Sectional Public Health Study by Fitim Bexhet Alidema, Lirim Mustafa, Arieta Hasani Alidema, Mirlinda Havolli and Fellenza Abazi Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(4), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23040507 - 15 Apr 2026 Abstract Background: The use of contraceptive methods is a key component of public health and reproductive health, contributing to family planning, maternal well-being, and social stability. However, contraceptive use is often influenced by the availability and continuity of medical counseling. Limited evidence exists on [...] Read more. Background: The use of contraceptive methods is a key component of public health and reproductive health, contributing to family planning, maternal well-being, and social stability. However, contraceptive use is often influenced by the availability and continuity of medical counseling. Limited evidence exists on how regular specialist counseling affects informed contraceptive use in real-world community settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2025 and January 2026 using a structured questionnaire. A total of 2400 participants aged 18–55 years were included. The study population was divided into two groups: 1000 women who had been regular patients or receiving consultation for at least one year at the Gynecology and Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital in Ferizaj, and 1400 community participants who had not received regular medical counseling related to reproductive health during the previous year. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of current contraceptive use was significantly higher among women receiving regular medical counseling compared with those without regular consultations (72.4% vs. 41.8%; p < 0.001). Modern contraceptive methods were more frequently used in the counseled group, including oral hormonal contraceptives (38.5%), intrauterine devices (21.4%), and implants (7.8%), whereas condom use (49.3%) and traditional methods (18.4%) predominated among participants without counseling (p < 0.001). Use of contraceptives based on medical recommendation was reported by 81.2% of counseled women compared to 29.6% in the non-counseled group (p < 0.001). Long-term contraceptive use (≥12 months) was significantly more common among counseled participants (64.9% vs. 33.5%; p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, education, and marital status, regular medical counseling was independently associated with higher odds of modern contraceptive use (OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 3.01–4.35; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Regular medical counseling by gynecologists and endocrinologists is strongly associated with informed, consistent, and modern contraceptive use among adults aged 18–55 years. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening structured counseling services as an integral component of public health strategies aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes. Full article (This article belongs to the Section Global Health)