Contraception use among Muslim women in Alexandria, Egypt: a descriptive pilot study

Authors

  • Maryam Abdelkarim Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandria University, Egypt http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0339-5813
  • Asmaa Namoos Department of Social and health Scineces, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
  • Assem M. Khamis Hull York Medical School, York, United Kingdom
  • Salma Zook Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Norhan Bader American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • NourEldin Abosamak Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Dina Ramadan Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Rana Ramadan Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Mostafa Abdou Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Ola Faried Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Abd El-Moneim A. Fawzy Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Tamas S. Gal Department of Social and health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20220883

Keywords:

Contraception, Emergency contraception, Family planning, Awareness

Abstract

Background: This pilot study aimed to create a questionnaire survey directed to understand knowledge gaps related to contraception among Muslim women in Alexandria, Egypt, so potential interventions could be designed to enable more informed decision-making. The project was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey.

Methods: Participants were randomly selected at outpatient clinics at Alexandria university hospitals in September and October 2020. The inclusion criteria were to be an 18 year old or older woman and able to give consent. The recruitment goal for this pilot study was 100 participants. The consented participants were interviewed about demographics, socio-structural and contraception use. The questionnaire was tested using a focus group of 11 women. The study data was collected using KoBoToolbox and exported to the SPSS software for descriptive analysis. The primary outcome was to validate the survey questionnaire and the secondary outcome to assess knowledge regarding contraception methods and emergency contraception.

Results: The age of study participants ranged from 18-60 with a mean of 34 years. Almost all participants had previously heard of various contraceptive methods and 75% used them before. The majority did not know about emergency contraception. Most respondents had a favorable attitude toward family planning, and their primary sources of information were family and friends.

Conclusions: Preliminary findings show that most women knew about contraception methods, though few of them heard of emergency contraception. Because of the patriarchal nature of Egyptian society, family planning education should target the whole population.

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Published

2022-03-25

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Original Research Articles