Traditional practices used by infertile women in Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Numerous traditional methods are used in the treatment of infertility around the world.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the traditional practices of infertile women using one clinic in Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
The population comprised all women (5700) who attended one infertility outpatient clinic in 2007. The sample was calculated using sample calculation formula and 410 women were included in the study. The survey method was used for data collection.


RESULTS
Of the responding women, 27.3% had tried a traditional practice, and 67.8% who tried traditional practices used an herbal mixture. The reason for the women's use of a traditional practice was 'hope' (66.9%), and 15.2% of them had experienced an adverse effect related with traditional practice. Maternal education level, perceived economic status, duration of marriage all significantly affected the use of traditional practices (P<0.05). The women who had received unsuccessful medical treatment for infertility and who had experienced side effects after medical treatment had a higher rate of use of traditional practice (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Almost one in three of the women who responded to the questionnaire had tried traditional methods, and some experienced adverse effects related to the practice. For couples with infertility problems, educational programmes and consultation services should be organized with respect to their traditional culture. Women should be informed about the hazards of traditional practices and avoidance of harmful practices, and continuous emotional support must be provided for infertile couples. In the future, nursing staff should play a much larger role in these supportive services.
Ayaz
S
S
Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. sultan@gazi.edu.tr
Efe
S Yaman
SY
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey
D028321:Plant Preparations