Education, male’s preference, and use of contaceptive methods
E Cosar1, F Durmusoglu2
1Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kutahya, Turkey, 2Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Istanbul, Turkey
Objective Many interventions have been carried
out to improve the reproductive health and status of women. However education
problems about contraception and males’ preference limit these efforts. We
eveluated the the effects of education problems and males’ preference on the use
of contraception.
Design and methods Data collected from interviews of
married women from the January 2005 – December 2005 Turkish Demographic and
Health Survey. 35618 women, all aged 15-49 were included in the study.
Results
A total of 14409 (40.45%) graduates, and 21209 undergraduates were investigated.
Out of the total number of respondents (35618), they were all sexually active,
2740 of graduates (19%), and 8457 of undergraduates (39%) had been sexually
active without effective contraception (P<0.05). Among graduates the most commonly known and currently used contraceptive is oral pills, followed in descending order by condom, calender method, injectable contraception, coitus interruptus, intrauterine contraceptive device, and emergency contraception. Intrauterine contraceptive device is the most currently used contraceptive method among undergraduates. Calender method, coitus interruptus, injectable contraception are following methods. The reasons for preferring the current contraceptive method, among both users, include ready availability, partner's preference, cost, and safety. Most of the undergraduates showed their partner for a failure to use a contraceptive, some of them felt that contraceptives are dangerous. Partner's preference effects graduates also as using oral pills.
Conclusion Education has an important influence on contraceptive usage.
Adequate contraceptive education for every student is needed absolutely. The
percentage of contraceptive use among male partners is less then women. So to
improve the status of women in the community and to empower women for sexual
health, further investigations are needed.