Postpartum family planning and health needs of women of low income in Istanbul
Bulut, A.; Turan, J.M.
Studies in Family Planning 26(2): 88-100
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-3665 PMID: 7618198 DOI: 10.2307/2137934Document Number: 290378
Prevention of pregnancies occurring within the first 12 months after giving birth has been an area increasingly targeted by family planning services in many countries. Many couples practice a variety of contraceptive methods during this time to prevent pregnancy. This paper reports the findings of a survey of 172 low-income Turkish families in which the women had recently delivered a child. The survey was designed to determine health care and family planning needs of women of low-income families. Data were collected by on-site visits, by questionnaires to health care providers and postpartum women, and by focus groups. Within 5 months after delivery, 86% of the women were using some form of family planning method. The most common method used was coitus interruptus, until menses returned. An intrauterine device (IUD) was used by 34% after resumption of menses. Some couples used both the withdrawal and the IUD methods in combination. The survey reports that little was being done in providing birth control information at health facilities. Training health care providers was recommended. The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) was suggested to augment the withdrawal method.