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Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes About Contraception Among Rural Latino Adolescents and Young Adults
Author(s) -
Barral Romina L.,
Cartujano Brenda,
Perales Jaime,
Ramirez Mariana,
Cowden John D.,
Trent Maria E.,
Ramaswamy Megha,
Kessler Sarah Finocchario
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12390
Subject(s) - reproductive health , family planning , acculturation , medicine , unintended pregnancy , focus group , psychological intervention , population , psychology , family medicine , environmental health , ethnic group , nursing , sociology , anthropology , research methodology
Abstract Purpose Latino 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). Methods Eighty‐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. Results FGs 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. Conclusions Latino 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.