Family planning practices among Lebanese, Turkish and Vietnamese women in Sydney

This paper is based on some of the data collected in a fertility and family planning survey conducted in 1988 among a probability sample of 980 married immigrant women in Sydney. The sample consisted of 507 Lebanese, 250 Turkish and 223 Vietnamese women. This study has revealed differences within and between the 3 migrant groups and the general population. Fertility among the 3 groups, but particularly among the Lebanese, was relatively high. While most women understood about birth control, there was a heavy reliance on traditional methods. Incidence of sterilization and hysterectomy was low compared to the general population. Use of abortions as a method of birth control was quite common among the Turkish women. Most women relied on their doctors for contraceptive advice and there was little knowledge and even less use of family planning and women's health centres. The study revealed an unmet need for culturally sensitive family planning information and services to these women.