DOES PRECONCEPTION TRAINING AFFECT THE AVOIDANCE OF PREGNANCY? THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: THE CASE OF HOME VISIT

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of preconception training on the avoidance of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with pretest-posttest quasi- experimental design during home visits within the scope of the Butterfly Effect project. The population consisted of women who were aged 18–49 years and were living in villages with high fertility rates in a provincial centre in the Central Black Sea region. The sample was calculated by power analysis and included 100 women. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) Scale. The women in houses selected through simple random method were visited. the personal information form and the DAP were applied to the women as pretest and then the preconception training was provided and the DAP was applied as posttest after this training Findings: The DAP total score was 29.17±13.28 before the training and 27.68±13.05 after the training. A significant difference was found between the DAP total mean scores before and after the training and age, age of the partner, duration of marriage, use of family planning, and previous pregnancy or birth. Moreover, while the presence of living children and the use of family planning were effective on the DAP before the training, the variables of the partner’s age, the use of family planning, and the number of years after which she would like to conceive a child were effective on the DAP after the preconception training. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the women’s desire to avoid pregnancy was moderate. The number of living children and the number of children planned for the family were significant predictors on the desire to avoid pregnancy.