Unveiling Factors Shaping Contraceptive Use Among Adults in the US - Insights from the ADD Health Study

Authors' Affiliations

Kajol Dahal MPH1, Haleigh Ball BS1, Ignacio Garcia, Sitasnu Dahal MPH 2, Trisha Schuver MPH, Johnathan Tremblay MPH, McKenzie Dooley BS,1College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 2 Penn State College of Medicine

Location

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-5-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

4-5-2024 11:30 AM

Poster Number

49

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Manik Ahuja

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Health Services Management and Policy

Classification of First Author

Graduate Student-Master’s

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Introduction: Contraceptive use among adult populations in the United States remains an underexplored area of research compared to studies focused on adolescents. The factors influencing contraceptive practices (either for the prevention of pregnancy or STIs) in adults may differ significantly from those affecting adolescents; thus, there is a critical need to investigate these factors comprehensively. This study aims to address this gap by examining the determinants of contraceptive use among adults in the United States using data from the Add Health Study. Specifically, we hypothesized that partner violence and reproductive intentions would be inversely associated with contraception use, whereas other factors such as demographic, socio-economic, and interpersonal variables would be positively associated with contraceptive use among adults in the United States. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Wave V dataset from the Add Health Study. This dataset focused on 3,552 participants aged between 32 and 42, encompassing both males and females who are sexually active and eligible for contraceptive use. Participants who did not use contraception and those who provided a legitimate skip response to the contraceptive use question were excluded. Our analytical approach involves descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to discern patterns and associations between contraceptive use (coded “always” and “sometimes” as yes and “never” as no) and key variables. These variables include age, sex, gender, race, born in US, education, partner status, region, religion, work type, income, socioeconomic ladder, insurance coverage, hepatitis B or C diagnosis, healthcare facility visited, partner violence, reproductive intentions, and multiple partners. Results: Within the sample, 39% always or sometimes used contraception and 61% never used it. Age, gender, education, partner status, religion, socio-economic ladder, insurance, and being a victim of partner violence were associated with the use of contraception in our bivariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that age exerts a significant influence, with each year's increase correlating with decreased odds of contraceptive use (AOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87–0.97). Furthermore, homosexual, or bisexual individuals displayed lower odds of contraceptive utilization compared to heterosexual counterparts (AOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48–0.90). Education emerges as a pivotal factor, with lower educational attainment significantly associated with reduced contraceptive uptake. Notably, individuals not cohabiting with partners demonstrate higher odds of contraceptive use (AOR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.49–3.24) underscoring the role of living arrangements in reproductive decision-making. Additionally, partner violence victimization emerges as a significant negative correlation (AOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50–0.96). Whereas reproductive intention was not associated with contraceptive use. Conclusion: This study underscores the multifaceted nature of contraceptive decision-making among adults in the United States, highlighting the importance of demographic, socio-economic, and relational factors in shaping contraceptive behaviors. Further research is warranted to explore the nuanced dynamics influencing contraceptive practices and inform comprehensive strategies to enhance reproductive health outcomes.

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Apr 5th, 9:00 AM Apr 5th, 11:30 AM

Unveiling Factors Shaping Contraceptive Use Among Adults in the US - Insights from the ADD Health Study

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Introduction: Contraceptive use among adult populations in the United States remains an underexplored area of research compared to studies focused on adolescents. The factors influencing contraceptive practices (either for the prevention of pregnancy or STIs) in adults may differ significantly from those affecting adolescents; thus, there is a critical need to investigate these factors comprehensively. This study aims to address this gap by examining the determinants of contraceptive use among adults in the United States using data from the Add Health Study. Specifically, we hypothesized that partner violence and reproductive intentions would be inversely associated with contraception use, whereas other factors such as demographic, socio-economic, and interpersonal variables would be positively associated with contraceptive use among adults in the United States. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Wave V dataset from the Add Health Study. This dataset focused on 3,552 participants aged between 32 and 42, encompassing both males and females who are sexually active and eligible for contraceptive use. Participants who did not use contraception and those who provided a legitimate skip response to the contraceptive use question were excluded. Our analytical approach involves descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to discern patterns and associations between contraceptive use (coded “always” and “sometimes” as yes and “never” as no) and key variables. These variables include age, sex, gender, race, born in US, education, partner status, region, religion, work type, income, socioeconomic ladder, insurance coverage, hepatitis B or C diagnosis, healthcare facility visited, partner violence, reproductive intentions, and multiple partners. Results: Within the sample, 39% always or sometimes used contraception and 61% never used it. Age, gender, education, partner status, religion, socio-economic ladder, insurance, and being a victim of partner violence were associated with the use of contraception in our bivariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that age exerts a significant influence, with each year's increase correlating with decreased odds of contraceptive use (AOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87–0.97). Furthermore, homosexual, or bisexual individuals displayed lower odds of contraceptive utilization compared to heterosexual counterparts (AOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48–0.90). Education emerges as a pivotal factor, with lower educational attainment significantly associated with reduced contraceptive uptake. Notably, individuals not cohabiting with partners demonstrate higher odds of contraceptive use (AOR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.49–3.24) underscoring the role of living arrangements in reproductive decision-making. Additionally, partner violence victimization emerges as a significant negative correlation (AOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50–0.96). Whereas reproductive intention was not associated with contraceptive use. Conclusion: This study underscores the multifaceted nature of contraceptive decision-making among adults in the United States, highlighting the importance of demographic, socio-economic, and relational factors in shaping contraceptive behaviors. Further research is warranted to explore the nuanced dynamics influencing contraceptive practices and inform comprehensive strategies to enhance reproductive health outcomes.