2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Online Program

334157
Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use in a nationally representative sample of women aged 18-24 in the US


Monday, November 2, 2015

Molly McCarthy, MPH, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Asia Sikora Kessler, PhD, College of Public Health - Department of Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Sofia Jawed-Wessel, PhD, MPH, School of Health Physical Eductation and Recreation, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
Background: Young women (ages 18-24) experience the highest rates of unintended pregnancies.  Increasing the use of effective contraception methods is an important strategy in reducing this disparity.  This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of contraceptive use among young women at risk for unwanted/unplanned pregnancy. 

Methods: Using a subsample of the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth (n=699), we estimated the prevalence of contraceptive use for young women at risk of unwanted/unplanned pregnancy.  We used ordinal logistic regression to identify determinants of being on more effective forms of contraception. Appropriate sample weights were applied.

Results: 47.0% of respondents used short-term hormonal contraceptives, 22% used barrier methods, 18% used no contraception, 10% used LARC, and 4% used withdrawal. After controlling for covariates, being in college (p=.011), privately insured (p=.015), non-Hispanic white (p=.006), having children (p=.003), and receiving contraceptive counseling (p<.001) conferred higher odds of being on more effective contraception.

Conclusion: Structural issues and access to services appear to influence utilization of more effective contraceptive methods. It is essential that young women have access to affordable reproductive health services. Interventions should address access to care, particularly for those who are at risk of unwanted pregnancy.  Educational and social policies should support women’s autonomy in their reproductive decision-making.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of contraceptive method use among women aged 18-24 years Discuss the association between between contraceptive method choice and socio-demographic, fertility-related, and other variables.

Keyword(s): Contraception, Family Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I initiated the project, contributed to the design of the study, and completed the data analysis.
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.

Back to: 3217.0: Contraception