A community-based intervention programme on hormonal contraceptives: The utilisation of social networks

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of an intervention programme based on the utilisation of the social learning concept which is practised through social networks among adult women in a suburban population in Turkey. The study was performed in two disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Umraniye, Istanbul. One of the neighbourhoods served as the intervention while the other as the control group. In order to document the efficacy of the intervention, baseline and evaluation surveys were carried out in both neighbourhoods. The most widely known hormonal contraceptive method was oral contraceptives, while emergency contraceptives were determined as the least known methods. The improvement was higher for the least known methods. Education with peer groups is shown to be effective in improving the knowledge of women about contraception. Information transfer through peer groups should be used more frequently particularly for emergency contraception.

Keywords::

• Family planning methods
• hormonal contraceptives
• peers education
• social network

Acknowledgements

This study was part of a project named ‘A Community Based Intervention Programme among Married Women and their Spouses on Family Planning Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices: the Utilization of Social Networks’ (DELTUR/2004/96618) supported by the EU through the Turkish Ministry of Health and the Marmara Health, Education and Research Foundation (MARSEV).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.