Contraceptive use and fertility behaviour among Syrian migrant women

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to investigate fertility behaviours and contraceptive use among Syrian migrant women in western Turkey. Methods An epidemiological, single-centre, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and types of marriage, use of contraceptive methods and fertility behaviours among 223 Syrian migrant women. Results The women's mean (+/- standard deviation) age range was 29.6 +/- 9.1 (range 18-49) years; 29.6% had no formal marriage status; 61.0% had had an arranged marriage. The mean age at first pregnancy was 19.5 +/- 3.4 (13-39) years; 26.4% had become pregnant before the age of 18. In total, 94.2% of participants had knowledge of contraceptive methods. However, 47.5% did not use contraception and the main reason for this was to become pregnant again. Intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive pills were known as contraceptive methods by 67.7% and 72.2% of women, but used by only 16.1% and 8.5%, respectively. Withdrawal (22.0%) was the most used contraceptive method. There was a risk of unwanted pregnancy in 13.0% of participants. Arranged marriage and low educational level were determined to be risk factors for adolescent pregnancy. Conclusion Although Syrian migrant women were aware of contraceptive methods, the rate of method use was low.