Fertility regulation in women with different religious beliefs
in Macedonia
D. Tanturovski1, M. Stojovski1, E. Milanova1, Z. Palchevski1, M.
Tanturovski3, F. Besimi2, N. Rufati2
1Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics,
Skopje, Macedonia, FYR, 2Medical Center, Tetovo, Macedonia, FYR, 3Medical
Faculty, Skopje, Macedonia, FYR
Objective The purpose of the study was to
determine if there are any differences in the modalities of fertility regulation
between women with different religious beliefs.
Design and methods The
prospective, randomised, unselected interview included 99 patients. The
interview was conducted using a specially prepared questionnaire. The
significance of the results was calculated using the Chi-square test.
Results
The patients were divided in two groups: Group I was composed of 49 (49.5%)
patients that were orthodox Christians and Group II was composed of 50 (50.5%)
patients that were Muslims. The methods of contraception most frequently used up
to the moment of the interview were: coitus interruptus in 41 (83.7%) of the
patients in group I and 44 (88%) of the patients in group II and condoms in 7
(14.3%) of the patients in group I and 2 (4%) of the patients in group II. When
asked what would they want to use in the future, 35 (71.4%) of the patients in
group I and 47 (94%) of the patients in group II chose coitus interruptus as
their primary method of contraception, while 12 (24.5%) of the patients in group
I and 1 (2%) of the patients in group II opted for the use of condoms. When
making this decision, the family or religion influenced none of the orthodox
patients, while 4 (8%) and 6 (12%) of Muslim patients were heavily influenced by
the family or religion, respectively. The differences between the groups
concerning the preferred method of contraception and the influence of the family
and religion over the decision were shown to be statistically significant
(p<0.05).
Conclusion Our research showed that even though it was conducted
on a coherent group on a narrow geographical space, there are certain
differences in the modalities of fertility regulation. The key factor is the
dominant influence of religion and family over the decision for contraception
use in Muslim women, while the orthodox women make this decision independent of
both the family and the church.