209261 Qualitative/Quantitative examination of the influence of religion/spirituality on reproductive health among Black Women

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Iman Roushdy Hammady, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Winifred Wilkins Thompson, PhD, MSW , Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education Rollins School of Public Health, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Laura M. Gaydos, PhD , Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Don Seeman, PhD , Department of Religion, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Carol J. Rowland Hogue, PhD, MPH , Women's and Children's Center, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Annie Moody-Hardison, BA , Department of Religion, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Introduction: Socio-cultural-economic barriers limit Black women's decision about reproductive health. These barriers also lead Black women to choose unintended pregnancy. We employed a multidisciplinary, two-phase study to examine low- and middle-income, child-bearing, urban Black women's reproductive health and religion/spirituality.

Purpose: To identify religion/spirituality's influences on reproductive choices of Black women in a southeastern urban community in Atlanta.

Method: PhaseI samples 16 women from a shelter for intensive interviews, over 16 months. PhaseII samples 441 women through surveys and focus groups, collected from the health department.

Results: Research revealed dynamic links between religion/spirituality and reproductive health. Religion/spirituality affected women's engagement in sexual activity. Women's spirituality/religiosity is tied to their beliefs about contraceptives. 23.68% identified at least one method of contraception against their religious beliefs. 1.11% reported their religion prevents them from using professionally suggested contraception. 59.33% believed their churches are supportive of their family-planning choices; 25.50% indicated they would switch their churches if these choices were not supported, indicating the importance of church.

Conclusions: Reproductive health choices involve complex elements of religion/spirituality and socio-cultural-economic factors. Increasing culturally tailored interventions for child-bearing women may improve Black women's health and reproductive health decisions.

Keywords: Religion/Spirituality, Reproductive Health, Black Women

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to identify factors contributing to early engagement in sexual intercourse.

2. Participants will be able to define religiosity/spirituality.

3. Participants will be able to understand the dynamics of the three dimensions of health (physical, mental, spiritual) with regards to reproductive health.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify factors contributing to early engagement in sexual intercourse. 2. Define religiosity/spirituality. 3. Demonstrate the dynamics of the three dimensions of health (physical, mental, spiritual) with regards to reproductive health.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the PI on this study, trained personnel who conducted the qualitative research, and am the co-author on the publications coming out of this research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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