Contraceptive Method Choice and Partner Decision-Making in Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

AbstractBackground:Understanding contraceptive method preferences is essential for improving family planning services and reducing unintended pregnancies. In Turkey, community-based evidence on contraceptive preferences and associated factors at the primary care level remains limited.Objective:To examine contraceptive method preferences and factors associated with method choice among sexually active women aged 15–49 years in Turkey.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at a family health center in the Bağcılar district of Istanbul between January and March 2020. A structured 7-item questionnaire was administered to 223 sexually active women aged 15–49 years. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, parity, age at marriage, smoking status, current contraceptive method, and decision-maker regarding method choice were collected. Associations between contraceptive method preference and categorical variables were explored using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, as appropriate.Results:The most frequently reported contraceptive methods were male condoms (33.2%) and intrauterine devices (IUDs) (25.1%). Contraceptive method preference differed significantly according to decision-maker, age group, educational level, age at marriage, and parity (all p