The proportion of women who want to use Family Planning in the world in the last two decades
has reached approximately 1.1 billion and has shown a significant increase . Despite this
increasing demand, it is seen that there has been a slow increase of 3.2 in the ratio of
family planning (FP) needs met by modern contraceptive methods for women of reproductive age
in the last ten years. The reasons for this slow increase include limited access to modern
contraceptive methods, women's prejudice about some methods, and low quality of available
services . In addition, WHO reported that almost half of pregnancies in developing countries
between 2015 and 2019 were unwanted pregnancies , and recommended effective FP counseling and
the use of more modern contraceptive methods to prevent this . In Turkey, the Ministry of
Health provides individuals with free access to modern FP methods. Despite this, according to
2018 data of the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TNSA), it has been reported that 49%
use modern methods in the use of FP method, and the Intrauterine Device (IUD) is among the
most effective modern methods with a rate of 14% . Among the factors affecting the use of the
IUD; women's perception of pain during the application and the fact that it can be applied in
certain centers .
In addition, it has been reported in the literature that women perceive pain during IUD
application. In these studies, pain; especially used in the stages of IUD application; It is
reported that it is detected during tenaculum insertion, measurement with a hysterometer, and
finally during IUD insertion. For this reason, there is a need for applications to reduce the
pain associated with the IUD application, which is the modern FP method of women. Again, it
is assumed that women will experience anxiety before the IUD application as in other medical
procedures . It is seen in the literature that there are studies to alleviate the perceived
pain in IUD application . In addition, it is expected that the applications made to women for
the symptoms such as pain and anxiety related to the applications in the field of health will
increase their satisfaction . In this context, there are studies in the literature showing
that virtual reality glasses and distraction cards, which are cognitive behavioral
techniques, are used during medical procedures, reducing the perception of pain and reducing
the level of anxiety. . Although virtual reality glasses are a technological device, they
have been widely used in the medical field in hospitals. Virtual reality glasses to be used
in the research are not a medical device. This device is a technological glasses that works
with compatible smartphones. The applications to be made with this device are within the
framework of midwifery care applications and are not a treatment method, mediator or
treatment option for any disease and do not have any harmful effects. Again, the cards with
optical illusion figures on the distraction cards enable women to focus and reduce pain and
anxiety.
No study has been found in the literature examining the effects of virtual reality glasses
and distraction techniques on pain, anxiety and satisfaction levels in IUD application.
However, in line with the results of the study, it is thought that the IUD procedure will
have a positive effect on reducing the perceived pain and anxiety of women and increase
satisfaction.