The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45190

Catherine Maternowska, PhD, MPH¹, Claire Brindis, DrPH², and Christina Mansfield, MPA¹. (1) University of California, San Francisco, Center for Reproductive Health Research & Policy, 2000 O Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 440-8803, maternowska@obgyn.ucsf.edu, (2) Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936

Thirty-five percent of California’s immigrant population is from Mexico, one of the largest growing, underserved, and uninsured groups in the state. In 1997, California launched the Family Planning Access Care and Treatment (Family PACT) family planning program that has enrolled over 2,000 public/not for profit and private providers who serve 1.3 million family planning clients each year. In this study, a quantitative (n=488) and qualitative (n=80) analysis compares those first generation Mexican immigrants who use the Family PACT program to those who do not use services. This study analyzes the impact of gender, power, and culture on the reproductive health of immigrants who cross national borders. As immigrant populations continue to increase throughout the country insights from this study will inform researchers interested in providing culturally appropriate services.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify factors that influence the use of family planning services among male and female Mexican immigrants in California.
• Describe how these factors differ among rural and urban populations.
• Describe how the public can play a role in mitigating barriers to family planning services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Office of Population Affairs, Grant on barriers to family planning among underserved populations (funding cycle Sept. 01 to Sept. 02