Contraceptive Knowledge and Practice among Married Immigrant Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the contraceptive knowledge and practice among married immigrant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design with a convenient sampling was used. 170 married immigrant women were recruited in Daejeon city and Chungcheong area. A structured questionnaire was self-administered from November 1, 2011 to January 13, 2012. RESULTS: 48.2% of subjects have used contraceptive practice. The widely used contraception methods were IUD, condom, oral pill and withdrawal. 73.2% of subjects got information about contraception from family and friends, and 18.3% of subjects had no source of information. The subjects' employment state (p = .006), duration of marriage (p = .019), number of baby (p = .021), family type (p = .046) have a significant influence on their contraceptive practice. The subjects' mean score of contraceptive knowledge was very low (5.72 points out of 15 points). There were significant differences in subjects' contraceptive knowledge depending on their education level (p = .002), employment state (p < .001), country of origin (p = .010), and family type (p = .003). CONCLUSION: To improve contraceptive knowledge and practice for married immigrant women, it is necessary to develop a proper contraceptive education program to enhance contraceptive knowledge and practice. Adjusted education program by this results will contribute to increase sexual health for married immigrant women.