Racial disparities seen in contraceptive use

(HealthDay)—Racial disparities exist in contraceptive use, with more prominent disparities among younger women, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Christine Dehlendorf, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues analyzed the 2006 through 2010 National Survey of Family Growth to examine the correlation between race/ethnicity and contraceptive use. The interactions between race/ethnicity and age, parity, and history of unintended pregnancy were assessed in a sample of 7,214 women, aged 15 to 44 years.

The researchers found that blacks were less likely than whites to use any contraceptive method (adjusted odds ratio, 0.65). The likelihood of using a highly or moderately effective method was lower for blacks and Hispanics versus whites (adjusted odds ratios, 0.49 and 0.57, respectively). Racial/ethnic disparities in contraceptive use differed according to women's age, with more prominent disparities seen among younger women.

"Interventions designed to address disparities in unintended pregnancy should focus on improving contraceptive use among younger women," the authors write.

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