Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine knowledge, and use of emergency contraceptive methods by 15-49 year-old women registered in a family health center and related Factors.

Method: This descriptive study was carried out in the Family Health Center of in Kartal County of Metropolitan City of Istanbul with 407 women registered in these units. The data were collected by face-to-face interview technique with a questionnaire form created by the investigators.

Results: he mean age of the participants was 34.3±7.6 years. 41.7% (n=170) of the participants had education for 8 years or less. The 65.4% (n=266) of the participants used any contraception method. The 62.1% (n=113) of those who heard the term “morning after pill” knew how to use this method. The 17.3% of women had a history of unwanted pregnancy (n=59). The 11.3% (n=46) of the participants of the study have used emergency contraception method at least once before. As the number of pregnancies increases, the rate of those who use the method increases significantly. The vast majority of emergency contraceptive method users stated that they had heard this method from health personnel. Participants stated that they obtained this pill from the pharmacy (87.0%; n=40) and 13.0% (n=6) from the family health centers (FHCs).

Conclusion: There is a significant difference between unwanted pregnancy rates and the use of emergency contraceptive methods. The method is mostly procured from the pharmacies at night. We think that giving these pills, which have less side effects but high prices, to individuals in need from FHCs will increase the rates of their usage.