Causes of difference in the use of contraceptive methods in different ethnic groups

Considering that ethnicity is one of the influential factors in choosing the contraceptive method, and the social, cultural and religious factors affecting this choice vary among different ethnic groups, therefore, this study was performed with aim to identify differences in contraceptive methods in a multi-ethnic mosaic community.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 2017 on 1000 married women at reproductive age (15-49 years) from five ethnic groups of Fars, Turk, Kurd, Turkman and Tat in North Khorasan. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire of fertility behavior (using deductive method based on literature review and compilation of existing questionnaire questions). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and t-test and bilateral variance analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The first priority of contraceptives was pills in all ethnic groups (most frequently in the Kurdish ethnicity). In Fars, Kurds and Turks, with slight differences between condoms and IUDs, they are the second priority of contraceptive methods. In the Tat and Turkmen ethnicity, with the clear distinction, condom was the second and IUD was the third priority of in choosing a contraceptive method.

The choice of contraceptive methods is influenced by the characteristics of individuals. Therefore, all planning, especially family planning programs which are directly related to fertility, should be based on specific cultural and social conditions and understanding the conditions of that community.