Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes About Contraception Among Rural Latino Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

PurposeLatino youth experience significant disparities in rates of teen pregnancy, and reproductive health needs of rural Latino youth are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about contraception among rural Latino adolescents and young adults (Latino youth).MethodsEighty‐four Latino youth, aged 15–24 years from rural Kansas communities participated in 15 focus groups (FG) and completed an individual survey. The survey assessed demographics and acculturation. FG participants discussed attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived sexual behaviors regarding teen sexuality, pregnancy, and contraception.ResultsFGs revealed multiple obstacles to accessing reproductive health services: geographical/rural location, cultural barriers, religious influences, lack of sexual education, and personal attitudes toward pregnancy and contraception use. Participants described close‐knit communities with limited access to confidential reproductive health care. They identified cultural and religious factors (sexual taboo, virginity, Familismo, and family dishonor) that influence family planning behaviors among Latino youth and obstruct access to sexual health and contraception knowledge and services. Ambivalence regarding pregnancy intentions was common, along with the belief that contraception equates with abortion.ConclusionsLatino youth in rural communities face multiple physical and sociocultural obstacles to accessing family planning information and services. Community‐based pregnancy prevention interventions must target these obstacles to optimize reproductive health outcomes for Latino youth in rural settings.

Adolescents’ perceived barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in California: a cross-sectional survey

“…Although CA PREP prioritizes services in low-income communities, this study did not assess other social determinants of health, including household socioeconomic status, insurance status, and geographic location, which other studies have shown to be associated with access to care as well as other adolescent health outcomes [ 17 , 47 ]. Because the study was based in California, which mandates sexual health education and confidential access to care for minors, these results may underestimate the access barriers that youth face in other states.…”

“…The intersection of these different demographic characteristics may also amplify concerns among certain groups. For example, Latino youth living in rural areas often worry about privacy due to small and tight-knit communities and have limited services available [ 17 ].…”

Hispanic Acculturation: Associations with Family Planning Behaviors and Attitudes

“…5 Young-adult Hispanic women reported that adolescent pregnancy is normal and believe that birth control equates with abortion. 6 Mexican-American Hispanic women reported the reason they choose to undergo sterilization is difficulty in discussing contraception with their families and partners. 7 Hispanic women reported less conversations with their parents about how to say "no" to sex and about contraception use as compared to Black and White women.…”

The Mediating Role of Sexual Self-Efficacy on Protected Sex

“…The Hispanic ascribed gender roles of machismo and marianismo may influence the power balance of a relationship exposing the couple to high sexual risks. Machismo cites men as the decision makers 4 , 10 while marianismo portrays women as a follower to their partner in a sexual relationship. 11 To date, no studies can be found investigating the influence of ascribed Hispanic cultural gender roles including HIV knowledge, acculturation, attitudes, and sexual self-efficacy on protected sex in one single study.…”