Abstract
Background
This study investigates the relationships between health insurance coverage and prescription
contraceptive use among women 18���24 years of age at risk for unintended pregnancy.
Study Design
Data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth were analyzed. The sample comprised
1049 women 18���24 years of age at risk for unintended pregnancy. Multivariate logistic
regression analysis was employed to examine the likelihood of prescription contraceptive
use (1) between uninsured women versus ones with private insurance, Medicaid or another
form of government insurance and (2) between those who had consistent versus inconsistent
insurance coverage, after adjusting for a range of sociodemographic and sexual health
factors.
Results
Twenty percent of the participants were uninsured and over 30% had inconsistent coverage.
Only 55% were currently using prescription contraceptives. In multivariate analyses,
young women with private insurance or Medicaid were more likely than the uninsured
to use prescription contraceptives. No significant differences in prescription contraceptive
use were found between other forms of government insurance and uninsurance or between
consistent and inconsistent coverage.
Conclusions
Access to comprehensive health insurance should be considered one strategy to address
the high rates of unintended pregnancy among this vulnerable population.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 10, 2008
Accepted:
August 27,
2008
Received in revised form:
August 27,
2008
Received:
August 12,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
