Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine postpartum contraceptive preference and attitudes of women.

Method: It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study and conducted in three education research hospital in Izmir in their obstetrics and gynecology policlinics and lactation rooms. “Individual Identification Form” and “Family Planning Attitude Scale” was used to collect data. 253 women were accepted in the study who were in postpartum 6th week-12th month, married, speaking native Turkish and that were accepted to participate in the study.

Results: 92.1 % of postpartum women were thinking to use contraceptive methods, 82.4% of these women were planning to use a modern method and 14.6% of them were planning to use coitus interraptus method. In this study it was found that education level, income level, family structure, education level of partner, number of children, presence of abortion, type of the birth, using any contraceptive method before were affecting factors on attitudes of family planning.

Conclusion: Awareness of health professionals should be heightened on education of women in postpartum period because family planning service after the birth will ensure conscious planning of birth number and the interval between births. This will contribute protecting and developing health of mothers and children.