Adolescent Pregnancy in Turkey

Abstract

Adolescent sexuality and reproductive health problems continue to be sensitive matter in Turkey. Premarital sexuality is not approved of in Turkish society, and society maintains a strict attitude against extramarital and random sex. It is considered unsuitable for Muslim adolescents to be active sexually until marriage; however, there is a more tolerant attitude toward adolescent males. In a 2008 study of midwifery students, the majority of students believe that virginity is important and premarital sexual intercourse is wrong and that young women have to be aware of the negative outcomes of premarital sexual intercourse. This inequality among adolescents has caused young girls to suffer much more harm than boys. One example, in Turkey, marriages under the age of 17 and all marriages other than civil marriages have been legally prohibited; however, as illegal marriages at early ages are accepted by society, they are still performed. Stopping this practice requires broad enforcement. Additionally, many studies conducted in Turkey demonstrate that young people still have deficiencies in knowledge about sexual health and reproductive health. What we have found is that the level of education, family structure, and economic status are closely related risk factors for adolescent pregnancies. The median age of first marriage for women who have received secondary and higher education is 24.1. The median age for women who have completed the second stage of primary education is 3 years younger (21 years old), and the median age for uneducated or non-primary school graduate women is 5 years younger (16 years old). We also found that the most significant reason for older age of first marriage is the increase in educational opportunities, access to a profession, and the use of effective birth control methods.