Ethnic Differences in Demand for Long acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods among Kurds and Turks Women in Urmia, Iran

With the decline in childbearing desires and ideals, the demand for long acting and permanent contraceptive methods (LAPCMs) increases. This paper aims to estimate the prevalence of and demand for LAPCMs, and explain ethnic differences in the demand for LAPCMs among Kurd and Turk married women aged 15-49 in Urmia, Iran. Data were taken from the Urmia Fertility Survey (UFS), conducted in a sample of 770 households in May-Jun 2014. The results show a greater contraceptive prevalence rate among Turks than Kurds (91.5% vs. 82.1%). The prevalence of LAPCMs is higher among Turkish than Kurdish women (45.7% vs. 20.8%), and the demand of these methods are also higher among Turks than Kurds (82% vs. 57%). Multivariate analysis showed that ethnicity along with demographic characteristics plays an important role in predicting the likelihood of the demand for LAPCMs. The gap between the use and demand are considerable in both ethnic groups and differences are significant statistically. Failure to meet this demand can lead to an increase to unwanted pregnancies and clandestine induced abortions among Kurdish and Turkish women.