Racial and ethnic differences in women's preferences for features of contraceptive methods

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 93; no. 5; pp. 406 - 411
• Main Authors: Jackson, Andrea V, Karasek, Deborah, Dehlendorf, Christine, Foster, Diana Greene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2016
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Continental Population Groups - statistics & numerical data; Contraception - statistics & numerical data; Contraception Behavior - ethnology; Contraception Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Contraception method; Contraceptive Devices, Female - statistics & numerical data; Contraceptive features; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Racial disparities; Surveys and Questionnaires; Unintended pregnancy; United States; Young Adult; Racial disparities; Contraception method; Contraceptive features; Unintended pregnancy
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.12.010

Abstract Objectives To understand women's preferences for specific features of contraceptive methods, the extent to which features of existing methods match women's preferences and whether this match differs by racial and ethnic subgroups. Study design Using data from 1783 women in family planning and abortion clinics across the United States, we performed analyses of racial and ethnic differences in contraceptive features reported to be “extremely important” by participants. We explored how preferences vary for more and less effective contraceptive methods. Results In multivariate analysis, non-Hispanic Black, Latinas and Asian Pacific Islander women were more likely to report the following features as extremely important compared to non-Hispanic Whites (p < 0.05): being able to stop using the method at any time, using a method only with intercourse and the method not changing her menstrual periods. Non-Hispanic Black and Latina women were statistically more likely to report that protection against sexually transmitted diseases, having control over when and whether to use the method and being able to become pregnant after stopping use were extremely important. The contraceptive feature preferences of racial and ethnic minority women in our study had a relatively lower match with high efficacy methods and higher match for low efficacy methods compared to White women (p < 0.05). Conclusions High rates of unintended pregnancy among minority women may be due in part to differences in contraceptive features preferences and discrepancy between their preferences and the features of currently available highly effective methods. Implications In the context of disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy by racial and ethnic group, this variation in preferences for contraceptive features by race/ethnicity may explain differences in contraceptive use and can inform the development of more acceptable methods of contraception.