Family Planning Among Migrants Living in Adana

Abstract

Objective: Family planning plays a crucial role in public health by enabling individuals to control their reproductive choices in a responsible and informed manner. However, migrant populations often face barriers to accessing these services, leading to increased rates of unintended pregnancies and reproductive health complications. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding family planning among migrants living in Adana, Turkey, compared to the local population.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2025 at Doğankent Family Health Center and Doğankent Migrant Health Center. The study population included individuals aged 15-49 who voluntarily participated. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews to collect sociodemographic data, knowledge levels, and usage patterns of modern family planning methods. The sample size was determined as 220 participants with 95% power and a 5% confidence interval; ultimately, data from 245 individuals were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20 software, employing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality assessment, parametric (t-test), non-parametric (Mann-Whitney U test), and categorical comparisons (chi-square test). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 245 participants, 143 (58%) were locals and 102 (42%) were migrants. Although knowledge of modern family planning methods was similar in both groups, actual use of modern methods was significantly lower among migrants (38.6% vs. 51.4%; p = 0.049). Barriers to modern contraceptive use included lack of partner consent, limited accessibility and economic constraints.