Knowledge on lactational amenorrhoea and contraception in Kocaeli, Turkey
Vural, B.; Vural, F.; Erk, A.; Karabacak, O.
East African Medical Journal 76(7): 385-389
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 10520366 Document Number: 525285
922 women of reproductive age were interviewed by doctors and nurses at Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkey between January and August 1998 to determine the knowledge of women about lactational amenorrhoea and contraceptive properties of breast-feeding. More than 53% of women were using one of the modern contraceptive methods, 23.86% were using natural methods and 22.78% were not using any family planning method. Intrauterine devices (30.15%), coitus interruptus (21.69%) and condoms (16.48%) were the most common contraceptive methods. Nearly 52% of women were not aware of the contraceptive property of breast-feeding, 25.68% of women knew lactation had a protective effect from pregnancy, 48.16% did not know the importance of frequency and duration of suckling on fertility-reducing effect of lactation. It is concluded that the level of knowledge on lactational amenorrhoea and frequency of suckling was significantly low, especially in the illiterate group. Since efficacy of natural family planning depends on the compliance of women, education of women about lactation is very important. It is suggested that family planning programmes should be focused on breast-feeding and type of breast-feeding practices used, especially where there are no contraceptive alternatives.