The Level of Using Family Planning Methods in Refugees in Türkiye and the Factors Affecting Their Choices: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the family planning methods used by refugee women of reproductive age and the factors affecting their choices. Material and Methods: Parameters such as women age, duration of marriage, number of gravidity and birth, socioeconomic status, educational level, and the contraceptive methods preferred by foreign national women who presented to family planning (FP) outpatient clinic between January 1st, 2013, and October 31st, 2020 were documented and assesed. Results: A total of 721 participants were included in the study. The cumulative percentage of Syrian women who applied to FP clinic was 1.7% in 2013, and this rate was 91.1% in 2019. Syrian women made up 93.6%, Afghan women 2.5%, and Iraqi women accounted for 1.9%. The most preferred contraceptive methods were intrauterine devices (IUDs) (51.1%) and bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) (33.2%). Illiterate women preferred IUDs (56.5%) more, and women with university education preferred BTL (74.1%) (p=0.008). Women with low-income mostly preferred IUDs (54.1%), whereas high-income women mostly preferred BTL (56.9%) (p=0.001). IUDs and BTL were the most common birth control methods used by women from countries outside of Syria. Conclusion: Effective and appropriate contraceptive methods should be explained to immigrant women because the education and income levels of refugees affect the choice of contraception.