Familial, Cultural and Psychosocial Influences of Use of Effective Methods of Contraception among Mexican-American Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract Study Objective To compare culturally relevant factors associated with ever having used an effective method of contraception among a cohort of predominantly Mexican American females. Design Face to face interviews were conducted in either English or Spanish. The survey used was developed di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology 2011-04, Vol.24 (2), p.79-84
Main Authors: Gilliam, Melissa L., MD, MPH, Neustadt, Amy, MPH, Whitaker, Amy, MD, MS, Kozloski, Michael, MS
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acculturation
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Attitude
Chi-Square Distribution
Chicago
Contraception
Contraception Behavior - ethnology
Contraception Behavior - psychology
Contraceptive decision-making
Educational Status
Female
Health Communication
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Interviews as Topic
Latinas
Logistic Models
Marital Status
Mexican Americans
Mexican Americans - psychology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Parity
Pediatrics
Sexual Partners - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Study Objective To compare culturally relevant factors associated with ever having used an effective method of contraception among a cohort of predominantly Mexican American females. Design Face to face interviews were conducted in either English or Spanish. The survey used was developed directly for this study based on qualitative research with this population as well as the existing literature. Women were grouped as either adolescents (ages 13–20) or young adults (ages 21–25) for study purposes. Setting Two community-based outpatient clinics on Chicago’s West Side. Participants Non-pregnant Latina females between 13–25 years of age. Main Outcome Measures Comparison of familial, cultural and psychosocial factors associated with use of effective contraception using bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results Final analysis included 267 participants. Multivariable models yielded three factors found to be statistically significant predictors of effective contraception use, but only one was significant for both age groups. Number of children was a strong predictor of effective contraceptive use among both Latina adolescents and young adults ( P < 0.001 for adolescents and P = 0.049 for young adults). Partner communication predicted effective contraceptive use among Latina adolescents ( P = 0.001). Acculturation level strongly predicted effective contraceptive use among Latina young adults ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Findings demonstrate the need to tailor messages to Latina adolescent and young adults to reduce unintended pregnancy. Interventions to improve effective contraceptive use among Latina adolescents should promote effective forms of contraception in conjunction with communication with their partners about birth control. In contrast, efforts to address unintended pregnancy among Latina young adults should be sensitive to degree of acculturation.
ISSN:1083-3188
1873-4332
DOI:10.1016/j.jpag.2010.10.002