Long-term contraceptive use among Hispanic women still lacking

Despite the ready availability of contraceptives, Hispanic women still rate among those with the lowest usage. A new report from the  U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed that, while the pill was still the most common form of birth control in the nation, non-Hispanic whites had almost doubt the usage rate compared to Hispanics, and the disparity was similar for long-term products like IUDs.

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Report author Kimberly Daniels explained in a press release long-term, reversible contraceptive use is growing in popularity, and almost twice as many women are using these products compared to the last time data was gathered five years ago.

IUDs remain the most popular form of long-term contraception, used by 3.5 percent of women in 2006 to 2010 and by 6.4 percent of women in 2011 to 2013, according to Daniels. Much of this growth has been attributed to new guidelines issued by health organizations as well as improved safety margins on long-term products. IUDs were once thought to carry a risk of pelvic injury, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states those products currently on the market do not carry such risks.

As beneficial as IUDs can be for long-term birth control, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a concern for many sexually active people. The rate of male and female condom use–the only way to currently prevent both pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections–however, isn’t exactly off the charts.

Across the ethnicity charts, condom use remains at about 9 percent.

“Currently, male and female condoms are the only methods on the market that prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,” said Laura Lindberg, a senior research associate at the Guttmacher Institute . “Until such time as other options become available, continuing to promote and support the use of these methods, either alone or in conjunction with a hormonal method, is critical to reducing the risk of STIs.”

With hormonal contraceptive support so important, it’s no surprise a larger percent of the population utilizes the pill. According to the data, 19 percent of non-Hispanic white women use the pill, compared to just 11 percent of Hispanic women.

“We know that black and Hispanic women are less likely to have access to regular affordable health care, less likely to have insurance, and access to contraception is part of that,” said Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for external medical affairs at Planned Parenthood. ” “Cost is a huge barrier. When a woman has to make a choice between her birth control and feeding her kids, birth control is going to get short shrift. This is one of the many reasons that the Affordable Care Act is so important,” she added. “Because of the ACA’s birth control benefit, millions more women have access to no-copay birth control, so cost is no longer a barrier.”

Now, with more health insurance options available to women, the goal is to spread the word about options beyond the pill. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends long-term forms of birth control, such as intrauterine devices and progestin implants, over the pill for young women. The issues is that most women aren’t aware of this, and because the pill is the most well-known contraceptive, it remains the most asked-for in a clinical setting.

SEE ALSO: IUDs recommended as birth control choice for girls

“What has happened in the past 10 years is that there have been increasing data supporting the safety and efficacy of LARC (long-acting reversible contraceptive) use in teenagers and adolescents,” said Dr. Mary Ott, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, to Live Science. “The [AAP]  policy statement reflects that increase in safety and effectiveness.”

For Hispanic women, seeking routine medical care will be an important component if birth control numbers are to improve. Only through doctor discussion and recommendation can more effective measures be taken for the Hispanic community.

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