Unintended Pregnancies Related Factors and Induced Abortions in Turkey

Gülengül KÖKEN, Emine COŞAR, Figen KIR ŞAHİN, Dağıstan T. ARIÖZ, Dilek KARAMAN, Nihal CENGİZ, Mehmet YILMAZER

Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

OBJECTIVE: Unintended pregnancies and induced abortions are major public health problems. To prevent these problems, it is important to understand the factors related to unintended pregnancy in Turkey.
STUDY DESIGN: A a cross-sectional survey of 1012 women aged 15-49 were conducted in Middle Anatolia Region of Turkey. Women were selected from the population who applied to regional governmet hospitals. Incidence of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion, the factors associated with unintended pregnancy and abortion-seeking behaviour.
RESULTS: Thirty nine percent of all Turkish women of reproductive age reported having had an unintended pregnancy, and half of those reported ever having sought to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Women with low socioeconomic status, low education level had higher unintended pregnancy and induced abortion rates (70% vs. 8%, 60% vs. 17%; 63% vs.12%, 29.8% vs. 19% respectively).
CONCLUSION: Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion rates are high in Turkey. The provision of familly planning counselling and information about these issues may reduce the incidence.
Key Words: Unintended pregnancy, Induced abortion, Contraception,Turkey
Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med;14:2 (80 - 83)