How do contraception preferences change over time? Eight years of experience in a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the contraceptive preferences of women based on their age and to track changes in these preferences over time.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective cross-sectional study. Data from 2742 patients were evaluated for this study. The patient group of the first 4 years was classified as Group I (n=1371) and the last 4 years was classified as Group II (n=1371). The preferred contraception methods between the groups and their changes across the years were examined.

Results: Coitus interruptus was found to be the prevailing contraceptive method across all age groups, with 304 (70.9%) in 18-24 age group; 1314 (65.4%) in 25-40 age group; and 148 (48.8%) in 41-53 age group using this method. Breastfeeding rates were also analyzed across age groups, revealing that 11% of patients aged 18-24 years, 5% of patients aged 25-40 years, and 1.7% of patients aged 41-53 years were breastfeeding. Among these patients, 114 (74.5%) were not using any contraception method, while coitus interruptus remained the most popular choice.

Conclusion: It was determined that there are many couples who do not have sufficient knowledge regarding family planning and birth control in our country. At the same time, the use of birth control methods has increased due to the increase in the education level of women and easier access to sexual health services.

Keywords: contraception; contraceptive methods; family planning services.