Specific peculiarities in the family model of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria.
BACKGROUND
There is a significant decrease in the average number of children in Bulgarian families during the 80s and 90s. This phenomenon is noticed even in some regions with usually higher natality, like Kurdjali, Pazardjik, Blagoevgrad, etc.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize the reproductive behaviour of Turkish minority in Bulgaria.


METHODS
260 women in reproductive age with Turkish ethnical origin from the town of Kurdjali (Bulgaria) were approached by a direct individual inquiry. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests.


CONCLUSIONS
The average number of children in the Turkish families in Bulgaria is 1.69 +/- 0.04 and in 78.2% of cases, the pregnancy has been wanted and approved by both spouses. This fact determines the reproduction of this ethnos to be a realized necessity. The comparison of indices, characterizing the reproductive behaviour of Turkish and Bulgarian population shows a statistically significant difference between the real and desired number of children in the family (P < 0.001). However, the analysis failed to find a statistically significant difference in the opinion of both compared groups about the ideal number of children in the family (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no changes in the traditional conceptions of Turkish people about the family and role of women. We observe significant differences in the reproductive plan and behaviour between the Bulgarian and Turkish population.
Semerdjieva
Maria A
MA
Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. mim_69_99@yahoo.com
Stefanov
Rumen S
RS
D000328:Adult; D001721:Birth Intervals; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000208:ethnology*; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005191:Family Characteristics / Q000208:ethnology*; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology