Assessment of Contraceptive Method Preferences and Pregnancy Rates During Method Usage of Women

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the contraception methods used by the patients admitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. The study was performed in a group of patients who were using contraceptive methods and the aim was to identify patients` contraceptive method preferences, the pregnancy rates in the period they were using contraceptives and to determine whether there where any differences between different methods based on how often pregnancies occurred while using contraception.  Materials and Methods : In our cross-sectional study that was carried out among a group of patients that visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital and were on contraception, data were collected by requesting patients complete questionnaires during face-to-face interviews. The study examined patients` sociodemographic information, contraceptive method preferences, pregnancy rates while using contraception and whether they had information about methods. Results : The average age of the 209 patients who participated in our study was 36,90±9,005. 30.62% of respondents had experienced 4 or more pregnancies. 41,15% of the participants were primary school graduates 78,95% of which were unemployed. When we investigated the methods used we noticed RIA was the most preferred method by 30,62% and traditional methods were used by 34% who used multiple birth control methods. 29,67% of the respondents said they conceived while using birth control methods and 46,71% of those experienced pregnancy while using traditional methods. When they were asked whether they were informed about contraceptive methods  93,27% said they were informed and 61,72% of those thought the information they had was sufficient. Conclusion : Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and timing of their births. This  affects the mother and baby's health positively. Accurate and adequate information is important while choosing a contraception method. In our study; pregnancies experienced while using birth control was higher in numbers when traditional methods were used. On the other hand; insufficient information about modern methods had led to problems. It is important to provide individuals with sufficient and accurate information.