Perception of primary care physicians on the use of the billings ovulation method

Introduction: Family planning needs are among the main reasons for consultation in Primary Health Care (PHC). The World Health Organization places significant emphasis on this topic, highlighting users' autonomy in choosing a method and providing technical support to care providers. Users may present clinical restrictions or moral barriers that interfere with their choices, making behavioral methods or those based on fertility awareness one of the few viable options. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of PHC physicians in the city of Anápolis, in the Brazilian state of Goiás, regarding the Billings Ovulation Method (BOM). Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative and qualitative, descriptive study. Results: The sample represents 80.7% of the population, with a confidence level of approximately 85% and a 5% margin of error. Regarding their specialization, only 15% were family doctors. About 61% of respondents had been working in PHC for a maximum of two years. BOM was the most well-known natural method, mentioned by 68.8% of participants, but the calendar method ("rhythm method") was the most frequently recommended. Approximately 43% believed they would perform efficiently in guiding these methods, compared to 41.3% who considered themselves unfit. Regarding the importance of medical training in natural methods, 93% considered it relevant. Conclusion: Although BOM is the most well-known method, most physicians did not consider themselves adequately prepared to teach it. Greater focus on family planning methods based on behavior and fertility awareness during medical training could contribute to clinical efficacy and the satisfaction of PHC users during family planning.