Determination of factors effecting health literacy and contraception preferences in women aged 15-49

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the health literacy level, contraception preferences, and factors affecting the contraception preferences of married women aged 15- 49 who applied to the family health center. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted (in Afyon) between January and March 2022 with a total of 450 women. In the study, a questionnaire including socio-demographic, obstetric, family planning characteristics, and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (TSOY-32) were applied as data collection tools. Data was analyzed statistically on SPSS 20 package program, and it was considered statistically significant (p<0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.6±7.2. Among the participants: 44.9% were primary school graduates, 80.4% were housewives, and 66.9% were unemployed. The mean general index score of the participants' health literacy is 24.61±8.03, which corresponds to an insufficient level of health literacy. It was determined that 49.3% of the participants were inadequate, 37.6% problematic-limited, 12.4% adequate, and 0.7% excellent at health literacy levels in the categorical evaluation. When the health literacy levels of the participants were compared with the sociodemographic variables, it was found that the health literacy was lower in those over 45 years old, primary school graduates, housewives, with an income level of 4250 TL (minimum wage) and below, unemployed and without social security (p<0.05). 58.7% of the participants use the modern method, and they prefer withdrawal with 43.4% among all methods. When the modern-traditional method preferences of the participants were compared with the sociodemographic variables, it was determined that the participants who had social security, had three births, had two or three living children, did not want children, had family planning counseling, and whose spouses were primary school graduates preferred the modern method more (p< 0.05). In the study, when the preference for modern and traditional family planning methods and family planning methods and health literacy were compared there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the health literacy of women aged 15-49 was insufficient. Although women did not want to have children, it was determined that among all methods, the withdrawal method was used more commonly. In order to achieve the desired goals in women's health, priority and importance should be given to increasing health literacy in women and promoting modern family planning methods. In primary care, which has a very important place in terms of first contact and access opportunities, more importance should be given to family planning counseling services and health education. Key words: Health Literacy, Family Planning, TSOY-32, Family Health Center