DOI: 10.22391/fppc.1785783 ISSN: 2458-8865

Determinants of modern contraceptive use among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: evidence from a cross-sectional study at a migrant health center

Furkan Bakirhan, Ferit Kaya
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Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the fertility characteristics, knowledge levels, attitudes, behaviors, and related factors regarding family planning (FP) methods among Syrian women under temporary protection.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among married and/or divorced Syrian women aged 18–49 years attending the XXX Migrant Health Center. The study population comprised 4246 Syrian women aged 18–49 years residing in the province of Adıyaman. A sample size of 288 was determined, and the full sample was successfully recruited. Inclusion criteria were being 18–49 years of age, holding temporary protection status, and voluntarily agreeing to participate. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and the 34-item Family Planning Attitude Scale developed by Örsal and Kubilay.Results: The mean age at first birth was 19.37 ± 3.19 years, the mean number of pregnancies was 4.74 ± 2.42, and the mean number of deliveries was 3.87 ± 1.98. It was found that 65.3% of participants had a secondary school education or below, 93.1% were housewives, 51.4% had five or more pregnancies, 28.5% had experienced miscarriage, and 5.6% had undergone curettage (induced abortion). A total of 71.9% of participants did not know the definition of FP. The most commonly known methods and those most frequently used were intrauterine devices (IUDs), combined oral contraceptives (COCs), and condoms. The prevalence of modern contraceptive use was 51.7%. While 51.0% of participants reported insufficient knowledge about methods, 52.4% did not know where to obtain FP methods. Reasons for nonuse included concerns about harmful health effects (27.1%) and difficulty in access (20.0%). Among Syrian women who did not wish to conceive, 21.0% were not currently using any modern method.Conclusion: According to our study, the unmet need for FP is high. Participants lacked sufficient knowledge of FP methods and were unaware of where to obtain them. In addition, the rate of nonuse due to religious reasons was considerable. To address these challenges, FP counseling services should be expanded.

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