Reproductive health awareness in Romania: women’s knowledge, practices, and information-seeking behaviors

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals, the internet, and social circles serve as key sources of information regarding contraception. Women prefer medical experts while men rely more on peers and media. Cultural norms influence contraceptive access and use, shaping gender roles in family planning and impacting availability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The present study explores Romanian women’s knowledge and use concerning contraception and gynecological health behavior, aiming to also investigate the information sources women use for contraception. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, based on a validated 24-item questionnaire, examined contraceptive practices, health effects, and gynecological check-ups among women. Data were statistically analyzed using R software (version 4.1.3), identifying residence, age, BMI, and education as significant predictors of gynecological check-up behavior. RESULTS: The findings reveal that education significantly improves contraceptive choices, highly educated women consulting physicians more frequently, while pharmacists remain underutilized. Younger women (18–25) are less likely to undergo gynecological check-ups, whereas older women (36–45) are more conscious about their healthcare routines. Urban women report higher abortion rates, indicating gaps in contraceptive effectiveness despite enhanced service access. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the need for expanded healthcare access, targeted educational initiatives, and greater involvement of healthcare professionals to improve gynecological health outcomes and support professionally informed decision-making among Romanian women.