BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of family planning methods, socio-demographic characteristics and the relationship between pregnancy histories and usage of family planning methods among women aged 15–49 years old living in the Erzurum provincial center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. From the total 106 669 women aged 15–49 years old living in the Erzurum provincial center, a sample of 627 individuals was selected. A questionnaire consisting of items inquiring into women’s socio-demographic characteristics, birth and pregnancy history, and the use of family planning methods was administered using face-to-face interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20.00 software. Descriptive statistics were expressed as mean, median, n, percentage, and standard deviation. The chi square, chi square trend, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: The mean age of the women in the study was 33.03 years (SD=7.1 years). The mean total number of pregnancies was 3.07 (SD=1.7). Of the women in the study, 77.7% (n=487) used some kind of FP, with 48.2% (n=302) using modern methods and 29.5% (n=185) using traditional techniques. The most commonly used modern methods were intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and condoms, and the most common traditional method used was withdrawal. The use of modern methods was higher among women working outside of the house. It was positively associated with higher education and income and negatively associated with the total number of pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate use of family planning services rises in line with improvements in women’s education, prosperity, and employment status.

Keywords: Contraceptive Agents, Family Planning Services, reproductive health