Preventing and terminating unwanted pregnancies in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the methods used to prevent pregnancy by women seeking abortion of unwanted pregnancy, their knowledge and use of emergency contraception, and reasons for wanting the abortion.


METHODS
The sample was 144 randomly selected women, who requested abortion for termination of their pregnancies at two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, during the study period.


METHODS
A questionnaire was completed by the researcher in face-to-face interviews.


RESULTS
In this sample 43.8% had had previous abortions; 77.1% used some method of family planning; 7.0% used emergency contraceptives. The methods selected after unprotected sexual intercourse by these women included vaginal douche (37.5%), waiting to see whether the menstrual cycle would begin (27.0%), going to a hospital or maternal-child health center (24.3%), and two other alternatives (4.2%). One-fifth of the women said that, if they get pregnant again, they will have another abortion.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of unwanted pregnancies is high and many women seek abortions as a birth control method. Women in this sample needed information about effective methods for preventing pregnancy.
Kavlak
Oya
O
Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing Department, University of Ege, School of Nursing, Izmir, Turkey. kavlak2002@yahoo.com
Atan
Senay Unsal
SU
Saruhan
Aynur
A
Sevil
Umran
U
D000023:Abortion Applicants / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003075:Coitus; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*; D012736:Sex Education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey