Abstract:

Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to be analysis of married women’s knowledge levels about reproductive health and contraception, the choice of methods, socio-demographic characteristics and to be determined the impact of these parameters on their knowledge, attitude and behaviors. Materials and Method: In this study, 37-question multiple-choice structured questionnaire with face to face meeting technique was administered to 18-49 age group 264 married women who apply to Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital District Polyclinics and Gynecology-Obstetrics polyclinics. Results: 65.2% of women are using any birth control method. The most well known in birth control methods were respectively; oral contraceptives (OC), intrauterine device (IUD), condoms, withdrawal. The most well-known of the traditional method was found to be the withdrawal method. The least known methods were female condoms, vaginal rings and spermicid tablets, gels and foams. The most commonly used method was the withdrawal rate of 28.5%. There was a statistically significant relationship between method choice and age groups. The use of the method rate with health personnel (doctor-nurse midwives) suggestion was 64.7%. The 79.9% of participants had known what is family planning and defined correctly. When education and income levels increased, the rate of knowing family planning were also increasing. 26.1% of women had an unplanned pregnancy before. Total women’s abortion (curettage) rate was 17.4%. The level of knowledge about reproductive health and contraception methods is still not at the desired level. The high ratio of unplanned pregnancies and abortions show that the unmet needs for family planning is high too. Although there are a wide variety of efficient and modern methods in today, traditional methods are still used at high rates. With increasing, disseminating and ensuring continuity of family planning education and counseling services, it will be largely eliminated the lack of knowledge on this subject and can be prevented misapplication. So that; women’s health, reproductive health and population health can be moved to a more advanced level.

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