Gender-based Approach in Family Planning in Practices in Turkey’s Most Fertile Province: Secondary Analysis of Mix Method Studies

Abstract

Objective: To determine the gender-based family planning approaches in the province in Turkey with the highest fertility rate. Methods: This study was carried out with the secondary analysis of the data on family planning of two different studies, which were carried out by the researchers with the mixed method. Results: In total, 56.7% of the women stated that they used any available family planning method, whereas 80.4% chose the method with their spouse. According to their responses, family planning methods used by women were intrauterine devices (41.2%) and withdrawal (28.9%). Furthermore, 10.5% of the men reported using any available family planning method, whereas 91.0% used the method decided by their spouse. According to the responses obtained from the male participants, the family planning methods used were pills (45.5%), intrauterine devices (18.2%), and male condom (18.2%). Factors affecting the use of family planning methods in women included age, duration of marriage, and number of living children, whereas these factors in men were age, income level, and health insurance. Conclusion: The study outcomes revealed that there are gender-based differences between women and men in the use of family planning methods, that men undertook less responsibility in using and selecting family planning methods.