Contraceptive method preferences of women living in Erzurum province: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate contraceptive preferences among women living in the province of Erzurum. Nine hundred ten women aged between 18 and 45 years, all of whom were using contraception, were enrolled in the study. Their sociodemographic characteristics and contraceptive methods were recorded. The data were presented as number, percentage, or mean values. Statistical analysis employed the chi square test, with a p value lower than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. While the majority of participants preferred modern techniques (85.5%), some 14.5% were still using traditional methods. The three most commonly used methods were intrauterine devices (IUDs) (34.94%), condoms (27.9%), and coitus interruptus (14.1%) (p<0.001). The proportion of women using modern methods was higher than for traditional methods for all education levels (p<0.001). The three most commonly used contraceptive methods among unemployed women were IUDs (35.8%), condoms (27%), and coitus interruptus (15.81%). Among the employed women, the most commonly used contraceptive method was condoms (33.11%), followed by IUDs (30.46%) and oral contraceptives (13.90%). The most popular method of contraception among participants with higher incomes was the condom, used by 40.35% (p=0.005). Whereas, the IUD was the most frequently used method among participants with low (46.25%) and middle (35.79%) income levels, followed by the condom (23.07%, 27.32%; respectively) (p=0.005). Despite the use of contraception, the pregnancy rate was 8.35%. Examination of the distribution of contraceptive methods used by women with unintended pregnancies showed that coitus interruptus exhibited the highest failure rate, at 51%. This was followed by condoms (23%) and IUDs (13%). The use of modern contraceptive techniques is more widespread than traditional methods in the province of Erzurum, and IUDs are the most common option. The effective use of contraceptive techniques is an important means of reducing numbers of unwanted pregnancies.