Attitudes towards contraception in three different populations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate contraceptive behavior of women belonging to three different ethnic and/or socioeconomic populations as well as to evaluate the main sources of information concerning contraception in each population.


METHODS
150 Muslim women living in Germany (group A), 120 Muslim women living in Thrace, Greece (group B) and 140 Christian Orthodox women living in Thrace, Greece were enrolled in the study. Attitudes concerning contraceptive practices were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of each group were compared with the method of contraception used. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's test, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The contraceptive pill (41.7%), the condom (35.1%), periodic abstinence (24.4%) and interrupted coitus were the most common methods of contraception. The gynecologist (23.4%), the family consultant (12.0%) and the sexual partner (10.2%) were the most usual sources of information. The use of contraceptive pills was more frequent among Muslims from Germany and Christians from Greece (p < 0.001), while the use of condoms was more frequent among Christians from Greece (p = 0.019). The use of IUDs was more frequent among Muslims from Germany and Greece (p = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study results reveal that there are behavioral differences between race/ethnic groups and minorities regarding contraceptive practices, probably due to different cultural, socioeconomic and educational factors.
Galazios
G
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Tsikouras
P
P
Liberis
V
V
Koutlaki
N
N
Vlachos
G
G
Teichmann
A T
AT
Maroulis
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033003:Eastern Orthodoxy; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006115:Greece; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D011247:Pregnancy; D012923:Social Class
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female