VIEWS OF TURKISH AND SYRIAN REFUGEE WOMEN WHO ARE FROM TWO DIFFERENT CULTURES ON TUBAL LIGATION

Abstract

Objectives: Although tubal ligation (TL) is a safe and effective method of permanent contraception, women may reject it for medical, social, economic, cultural reasons. The study was conducted to determine knowledge about and attitudes toward TL among Turkish and Syrian women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 420 women in the women's health unit of hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health in southeastern Turkey. In the research, "Diagnostic Form" was used as the data collection tool. Results: The investigation of the women's perspectives of TL demonstrated that 32.10% of the Turkish women and 46.80% of the Syrian women considered it as a sin, 22.80% of the Turkish women and 37.60% of the Syrian women thought they might lose their authority in the family life, 22.80% of the Turkish women and 43.90% of the Syrian women thought that the intervention might have a negative impact on their sexual life, 20.90% of the Turkish women and 36.10% of the Syrian women thought that TL should be banned, 60.40% of the Turkish women, 45.90% of the Syrian women believed that TL was a reliable method and 34.40% of the Turkish women and 48.30% of the Syrian women thought that having a lot of children gained them strength and status in the society (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall knowledge of women about TL was insufficient, and Syrian participants displayed more negative attitudes towards TL than Turkish participants. Our findings underscore the fact that cultural differences may have important effects on attitudes toward and acceptance of TL