Recent estimates indicate that half of all pregnancies are unintended. At greatest risk are women with low incomes, ethnic minorities and women at both ends of the reproductive age span. Previous studies suggest that reasons for non-use or inconsistent use of contraceptives may be less structural (i.e. related to cost, transportation) and more attitudinal. Among the latter, women's perceptions of contraceptive safety deserve closer attention. While hormonal methods are some of the most clinically effective contraceptives available, many women have concerns about health risks associated with using these methods. These concerns may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy by affecting compliance, discontinuation or non-use of contraceptives. In this session, we present results from the Three Cs Project / Culturally-appropriate Contraceptive Counseling, a new collaborative project between UC Berkeley's School of Public Health and California's Health Services Department in Contra Costa County. This project was designed to collect information that will help county family planning providers design services that appropriately address the needs and concerns of their Latina clients. Using a cross-sectional design, we examine safety perceptions (the health risks associated with using a method) and investigate the association between these perceptions and contraceptive choices. We focus on perceptions of oral contraceptives, the implant and injectable contraceptives. This study adds an important contribution to the literature by addressing the concerns of adult Latina women and by comparing perceptions of different hormonal methods. Data were obtained through in-person interviews with approximately 200 Latina women, recruited through county public health clinics.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to describe: a) safety perceptions of hormonal contraceptives (oral contraceptives, the implant and injectable contraceptives) among low-income Latina women, b) intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that influence these safety perceptions, and c) the relationship between these safety perceptions and contraceptive method choice
Keywords: Contraceptives, Latinas
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.