Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Family Planning Options in Armenia

TL;DR

This study examines family planning knowledge and attitudes in Armenia, finding that while women are aware of contraception, distrust in hormonal methods and lack of sexual education remain significant issues.

Contribution

The study provides a mixed-methods analysis of family planning in Armenia, highlighting cultural and educational barriers to reproductive health.

Findings

Armenian women are familiar with contraception, but modern methods remain underused due to distrust in hormonal options.

Comprehensive sexual education is lacking, leading to misinformation and reliance on self-guided learning.

There is a disparity in reproductive health services between rural and urban areas, with a need for government-led education and support.

Abstract

In many Transcaucasian and Middle Eastern populations, research in women's sexual and reproductive health remains limited, especially in Armenia despite recent political and cultural changes. This study explores the current state of family planning in Armenia while both highlighting the recent progress and identifying current barriers to reproductive health.

We conducted a mixed-methods study using both a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with women and key informants in the field of women's sexual and reproductive health.

Armenian women are familiar with many types of contraception. The use of modern methods has increased but remains low. Sexual education for women is uncommon and often sought through independent online searches or books. We found no significant access barriers, however, a prevailing distrust in hormonal contraceptive methods left many women to rely on condoms and withdrawal. Although the majority of surveyed women (72%) believed having access to safe abortions was an important right, only 42% would consider having an abortion in the case of an unintended pregnancy. Interviewees highlighted the lack of sexual education, discrepancies in sexual and reproductive services between rural provinces and the urban capital city of Yerevan, as well as the need for information and the government's responsibility in this field.

The lack of comprehensive sexual education in Armenia fuels misinformation regarding family planning options. One option we recommend is a government-funded sexual education program which begins as culturally sensitive, sex-positive education in schools and continues with counseling and support for women within the health care system.

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