Abstract
Objective
This study assessed a broad array of socioeconomic barriers in relation to preferred
contraceptive use during a time of exacerbated personal and social financial strain
(the COVID-19 pandemic).
Study Design
Using statewide data collected in early 2021 through the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin,
we conducted bivariate analyses exploring the relationship between socioeconomic resources
and preferred contraceptive use among Wisconsin women.
Results
The survey garnered 1889 responses, with a response rate of 34%. The sample for the
current study (N = 247) included only adult women of reproductive age who reported current contraceptive
use. Nearly one-third (32.8%) of contraceptive users reported that they were not using
their preferred method. We found that greater resource deprivation, including housing
instability (had to relocate: p = 0.004; unable to pay rent and/or mortgage: p = 0.008), food insecurity (ran out of food: p = 0.003; worried about running out of food: p = 0.008), and greater financial stress (p < 0.001), were significantly associated with lowered likelihood of using one's preferred
contraceptive method.
Conclusions
Findings indicated that people lacking socioeconomic resources, including adequate
food and housing, may be unable to access their preferred contraceptive method(s).
Amidst competing demands on time and resources, the inability to obtain preferred
contraceptive method(s) may represent system-wide barriers as well as people's lowered
ability to prioritize and access care in light of socioeconomic struggles.
Implications
Health care providers and health systems should work to address structural barriers
to care and bolster community resources in ways that promote patients’ reproductive
autonomy. There is also a need for continued research on specific socioeconomic determinants
of preferred contraceptive use and potential solutions that bolster community resources.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 05, 2022
Accepted:
July 29,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 27,
2022
Received:
April 20,
2022
Footnotes
Declaration of Competing Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
Funding: Funding for the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) was provided by the Wisconsin Partnership Program PERC Award (233 AAG9971).
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
