Language barriers and access are not the only obstacles Latinas face in using family planning: A qualitative examination of the role of communication

Frequently it is assumed that the major barriers Latinas face in using family planning are related to access and language. However little is known about what Latinas perceive as the major barrier. Additionally much of the research has focused on adolescents. This study was designed to gather more information about the perceived barriers 18 - 30 year-old Latino women face using family planning. Interviews (N=31) were conducted in Spanish with 18 -30 year-old Latinas in a Midwestern state. The interview protocol consisted of questions pertaining to attitudes, knowledge, and experience about contraceptive use and unintended pregnancies. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and coded for relevant themes related to barriers. Open and closed coding strategies were used. While we expected women to discuss access and language barriers, the vast majority of the barriers that women cited were related to communication. Communication barriers occurred among partners and family members. These barriers were often related to culture, religion, knowledge, side effects, misinformation and situation. Our results indicate that more attention be paid to barriers other than language and access to increase effective family planning among young adult Latinas. Future interventions need to provide women with communication skills that increase comfort with communicating about sex and contraceptives with family members, partners, and health care providers.