The contraceptive trends among middle and low social class women
attending developing country community hospital
G. Dirimen, T. Yoldemir, I. Davas,
A. Akyol, B. Baksu
Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Family Medicine,
Istanbul/Sisli, Turkey, Medistanbul Clinic, Istanbul/Osmanbey, Turkey, and Sisli
Etfal Training and Research Hospital, 2nd Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic,
Istanbul/Sisli, Turkey
Aim The factors effecting contraception awareness and
choice of methods in a population of women with low or medium income at an urban
setting in a developing country.
Material and method 6000 women between the age of
15-49 years who had attended Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital
Gynecology Out-patient Clinic were questioned during the history taking.
Statistical analysis was done by National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
2000 statistical and power analysis software program (Utah, USA). Chi-square
test was used for comparison between the variables. p<0,05 was considered as significant.
Results A total of 44,8% of women used one method of contraception, whereas,
55,2% did not use any; 51,7 % of contraception users did use modern methods,
while 48,3% used natural methods. Coitus interruptus (47%) was the leading
choice of contraception with intrauterine device (IUD)(28%) as the second and
condom (9%) as the third choices. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were used by
7% of the women. Marital status, age and children’s gender were the factors
affecting the choice of contraception. Among the users education, income or work
position did not have an effect on the choice of contraceptives.
Conclusion
Even though natural methods of contraception have low efficacy they were
preferred by majority of the women interviewed. Hence reproductive health public
knowledge needs to be considered as a prior issue and modern methods have to be
taught to general public and measures need to be taken accordingly
KEY WORDS Family planning, Contraception, Reproductive health