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Contraceptive Use 1

Running Head: Contraceptive Methods used by Women

Contraceptive Methods used by Women in the United States

Eboni S. Austin

Social Work 300-01

Ms. McArthur

January 29, 2010


Contraceptive Use 2

Abstract

Sexual activity is becoming essential in most relationships. Some relationships are not

monogamous, therefore is it important for both partners to protect themselves. There are several

contraceptive methods that could be used, such as the male and female condom, birth control

pill, IDU, the patch, Depo-Provera, diaphragm, female/male sterilization and withdrawal. The

particular method is used to prevent the risk of pregnancies or the risk of acquiring a sexually

transmitted infection. Women from various backgrounds were used to compile the data. The

different factors consist of race, marital status, education, health insurance, age and specific

location. The time span of the study was 1982-2002. The percentages of women that use a

specific method will be observed, the changes and the effects.


Contraceptive Use 3

Figure 1: Magnitude

Figure 1:
Percent of Women who do and do not use Contraception
64.6%
70 59%
57.6%
60
50 42.4% 41%
Percentage

35.4%
40
30
20
10
Use Contraception
0
Hispanic African American White Do not use
Contraception
Race
The graph above display percentages of women in the United States, from different races,

that are using contraception and those who are not. Table 97 (Census Bureau) reported the

response of 61,561 women in 2002. Out of this number only 61.9% uses contraception and

38.1% does not use contraception. Among the women who are having sex, Figure 1 shows that

there are 64.6 % White, 57.6% Black and 59.0% Hispanic women using contraception. The blue

bars indicate the women who are not using contraception. There are 35.4% Hispanics, 42.4%

African American and 41% White women who are putting themselves in risk of several

consequences.

Hispanics are the ethnic group who has the highest rate of using contraception. From

personal observations, I would have not believed this data before. African Americans are those

who have higher rates for HIV/AIDS cases. The 42.4% of those who do not use contraception

are risking being another statistic. The data provided for the White women are surprising because

I would have believe they would have a higher rate of women to use contraception. Although

everyone is placed in various risk categories if they do not use protect, African Americans are

the ones that is widely discussed. Every woman should protect herself from potential dangers.
Contraceptive Use 4

Figure 2: Magnitude
Figure 2:
Number of Intented and Unintended Pregnancies
120
101 98
100
Number of Pregnancies

82
78 78
(numbers in 000s)

80 67

60 52 53
45 43 Hispanic
37 35
40 African American
White
20

0
1994-Intended 1994-Unintended 2001-Intended 2001-Unintended

Year/Pregnancy type

One risk that a woman faces because of her negligence of using contraception is

pregnancy, whether it was intended or not. The number of intended pregnancies was 56 in 1994

and 53 in 2001. The number of unintended pregnancies was 51 in 1994 and 2001. In Figure 2,

101,000 of African American women had unintended pregnancies in 1994. It slightly decreased

in 2001 to 98,000. 45,000 of African American women had intended pregnancies in 1994 and

43,000 in 2001. White women had the lowest number of unintended pregnancies in 2001. The

outcomes of these pregnancies may have ended in abortions or adoption.

Taking a test and discovering that you are pregnant could be an awful feeling. The

numbers of unintended pregnancies were awfully high in 2001 with African American.

Compared to 1994, African Americans had the lowest numbers of unintended pregnancies out of

the three races. I believe this may have been due to government changes or more awareness of

pregnancies and STDs. I believe the society was going through changes in 2001 and some people

may have not received the knowledge as those seven years prior.
Contraceptive Use 5

Figure 3: Scope

Figure 3:
Percent of Women in Alabama who are at Risk of Pregnancy

45%
(71.2)
55%
(87.6)

At Risk for Pregnancy

At Risk for Pregnancy, using birth


control

The Center for Disease Control reported the prevalence of contraceptive use among

women in various states. Since we are in Alabama, I chose to focus on the data for the state. The

sample size used in Alabama was 936,000. Out of the sample size of Alabama, 71.2% of the

women were at risk for pregnancy. 87.6% of the women who used contraception were also at a

risk.

I think it is very odd that the women that use contraception were at a higher risk in

becoming pregnant. It may be assumed that these women are using the contraception

ineffectively. Those who are at risk may not use contraception. They may be unaware of the risk,

do not think they can become pregnant or the may not care about being pregnant. Additionally,

women in Alabama, as well as women in other states, should be aware that no birth control is

100% effective, except abstinence.


Contraceptive Use 6

Figure 4: Scope
Figure 4:
Percent of Women in Alabama who do and do not have Health Insurance and
uses Condom

With Health Insurance Without Health Insurance

65%
(29.1) 35%
(15.8)

Health insurance can be a deciding factor in which contraceptive method a woman will

use. In the graph above, the population of Alabama women is shown and it separates those with

health insurance and the ones without it. 13.1% of insured women used condoms, while 25.4%

of uninsured women used condoms. The women with insurance may have chosen an alternative

contraceptive method that was paid for by their health care provider. On the other hand, the

women without health insurance use condoms to protect themselves.

Health insurance is vital. Some women use their insurance to buy the contraceptive

method that works best for them. However, what if a woman does not have insurance? Most

women without health insurance use condoms since they do not require a prescription. Condoms

can be bought from local stores or they can be given for free at clinics. Medicaid is given to

pregnant women, therefore it would be too late to give it to a woman who is in a situation they

tried to prevent.
Contraceptive Use 7

Figure 5: Changes

Figure 5:
Changes in Women using Contraceptive Methods: 1982-2002

70 64.2%
60.3% 61.9%
60 55.7%

50
38.1%
Percentage

40

30

20
7.4% 6.7%
10 5.2%

0
1982 1988 1995 2002 Using a Method
Year Not Using a Method

The number of women who use contraception has changed over the years. In Figure 5,

the percentage of women who used a method was 55.7% in 1982. In 1988, the percentage was

60.3%. The highest percentage of contraceptive use in women was 64% in 1995. In 2002, the

rate declined to 61.9%. The percentages of women that did not use a method gradually decrease

over time until 2002. The lowest rate was in 1995 at 5.2%

Many factors could have contributed to why the rate of women not using contraception

rose in 2002. Some women or men may have chosen to get sterilized and not use contraception

because of that reason. This method ensures individuals that the will not get pregnant, however,

there are some slim cases that could occur. Others may have been ready to start their family.

Finally, there may have been a small few who just simply did not want to use contraception.
Contraceptive Use 8

Figure 6: Changes

Figure 6:
African American Women using or not using Contraception

Using a Method
70 62.1% Not Using a Method
56.8% 57.6%
60 51.6%
50 42.4%
percentage

40

30

20 13.6%
10.3%
7%
10

0
1982 1988 1995 2002
Year

The percentage of African Americans who used contraception was 51.6% in 1982, 56.8%

in 1982 and 62.1% in 1995. It could have been assumed that the rate would continue to increase,

however, in 2002 the percentage declined to 57.6%. Figure 6 also displays the changes in those

women who were sexually active and not using a method. In 1982, 13.6% of African Americans

did not use contraception. This rate was followed by a decrease to 10.3% in 1988 and 7.0% in

1995. The rate in 2002 had a dramatic increase to 42.4% of African Americans who do not use

contraception

The rates of African Americans using contraception could be higher than the average of

60%. For the rest of the African American women who are not using contraception, they are in

danger of catching a STI or becoming pregnant. In 2002, married African Americans were

starting a family where among those who did not use a contraceptive method. I strongly believe

that if married women were to be removed from the group, then the percentage would be lower

to show the changes over the years.


Contraceptive Use 9

Figure 7: Changes

Figure 7:
Marital Status Among African American
Women who use Condoms
28%
30

25

20
Percentage

15 13% Currently Married


12% 12%
10% Never Married
10 8%
7%
Formerly Married
4%
5 2%

0
1982 1988 1995
Year
The use of condoms was low among the different marital status in the year between 1982

and 1995. In 1982, 7% of currently married, African American women used condoms. Among

the women who have never been married, 8% used condoms. In that same year, only 2% of

formerly married women used condoms. In 1988, the numbers increased slightly by 3%, 5% and

2%. In 1995, 28% of women who have never been married used condoms. Formerly married

women who used condoms rose to 12% in 1995.

It is surprising that currently married women used condoms or a contraceptive method at

all. These women may have been career oriented women who were not ready to make a family at

that time. These women could have also been newlyweds who also wanted to wait for a family.

Never married women may have used another method besides condoms to ensure that they

would not become pregnant because they were not in a permanent relationship. Formerly married

women may have been older, therefore, they may be incapable of becoming pregnant.
Contraceptive Use 10

Figure 8: Disparities

Figure 8:
Education Level of African American Women who use Condoms

25 22%

20 17%
14%
Percentage

15 12%

10 7%
6% 6%
4%
5 Less than or equal to 11 Years
0% 12 years
0 Greater than or equal to 13 years
1982 1988 1995
Year

The education level of women who use condoms are shown in Figure 8. In 1982, only 4%

of low educated women used condoms and in 1995, only 14% used them. In 1988, the rate of

condom using women with eleven years of less of education was 0%. On the other hand, females

with thirteen years or more education, in 1995, 22% used condoms. This was an increase from

the 6% using condoms in 1982. Among the women with twelve years of education, 6% used

condoms in 1982, 7% in 1988 and an increase to 17% in 1995. Education plays a role in which

contraception to use and how to use it.

Sex education should be a subject taught in schools. The students would be able to go to

the clinic to receive counseling on different contraceptive methods. However, if an individual

were to drop out of school, then they would not be able to receive this valuable piece of

information. Most people would use condoms because they are common and easily accessed.

The women with the low education levels may not be informed about safe sex and they may not

use contraception at all. The rate of condom use amongst them rose to 14% in 1995. These

women may have been informed by word of mouth, television or billboards.


Contraceptive Use 11

Figure 9: Disparities
Figure 9:
Age Groups of Women Using Contraception
80 69.2% 71.4%
68%72.8% 70.2%73.1% 66%
65.9% 61.2%
59% 64.5% 67.6% 61.9%
60 55.8% 63.5%
Percentage

40 32.1% 1982
29.8%
24.2% 1988
20
1995

0
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44
Age Group

Figure 9 display the percentage of women of different age groups who are using

contraception. In 1982, 24.2% of 15-19, 55.8% of 20-24, 65.9% of 25-29, 67.6% of 30-34,

61.9% of 35-39 and 61.2% of 40-44 age women all used condoms. The percentages of condom

use were high among those women over the age of twenty-five. In 1995, those women had

percentage over 70% for using condoms, compared to the 15-19 year old women who had 29.8%

in 1995.

Women of various ages are having sex. Children at the age of fifteen are having sex and

some of them are not informed about safe sex. Figure 9 shows the data of women in the age

group of 15-19 had the lowest rate of using contraception over the years. This may be because

they are afraid of telling their parents that they are having sex. They may not be aware of the

resources around them. The other age groups seem to be aware of the consequences of not using

contraception. The age of women between thirty and forty-four may have been working women

who did not want to put their careers on the line. They may have a family already and feel that

they are too old to have children. These women seem more responsible compared to the women

in the 15-19 age group.


Contraceptive Use 12

Figure 10: Disparities

Figure 10:
Income Levels of African American Women who use Condoms

25 22%
19%
20
15%
Percentage

15 13%
Income<149%
9%
10 8% Income 150-299%
7%
6%
5% Income >300%
5

0
1982 1988 1995

Year

Income level also played a factor in the contraception usage during 1982-1995. In Figure

10, the African American women who were 149% or less of the federal poverty level, 5% of

them used condoms in 1982, 9% in 1988 and 15% in 1995. For those individuals who were

between 150-299% of the federal poverty level, 6% in 1982 used condoms, following by 8% in

1988 and 22% in 1995. The women in the 300% or more federal poverty level had a rate of 7%

using condoms in 1982, 13% in 1988 and 19% in 1995. Despite the poverty level the women fell

in, majority of the African American women used the pill with an average rate of 40%.

African Americans with higher incomes have a better chance in purchasing condoms.

They may have a stable job in order to get it, whereas, the women who fell in the poverty level of

149% or less, may not have extra funds or any funds at all to buy condoms. This may be a fact,

however, condoms are sometimes given out for free at clinics. Therefore, it is not reason for

anyone to not use condoms, at least. The income level may relate with the low education level;

those who are not informed will not know.


Contraceptive Use 13

Summary:

There is an increased rate of pregnancy and STI contamination among women

who are misinformed about having safe sex. They may not receive this information at

home and it is a slight probability that it is not taught at school. Therefore, women go into

a relationship not knowing the risks of having unprotected sex. This could lead to an

increase of pregnancy rates or even the possibility of catching a STI. For those

individuals who are lucky to know about the several methods of prevent birth control and

the risk of getting a STI, they are less likely to undergo the stress of that situation.

The ages of women having sex are changing as well. There are teenagers who are

not using contraception. They may not want their parents to know and may have sex with

a male that in experienced. The experienced partner may talk the female out of using a

contraceptive method. For those females who are older, they are more responsible and

therefore have higher rates of using a condom. Over the years, these findings have

increased to percentages over 70%, however females 15-19 years of age grew to only

24%.

Women with lower income and education also had low percentages of using

contraception. It could be assumed that these individuals do not have the funds to buy

contraception or they may not know about it. Also, they may not have health insurance to

cover the cost of a better contraceptive method.

Women with different marital statuses also used contraception. Women who were

married still used contraception, especially condoms. There were a low number of

women who were formerly married who used condoms. These findings can have many

exceptions to their reason. Nevertheless, it is best to use contraception to protect

themselves.
Contraceptive Use 14

Conclusion:

There is a rise in women in the United States that are having sex. For those who are choosing to

have sex, they use some form of contraceptive method. The graphs have been created to provide

numerical representation of those methods that the women are using. It also provides the race

and the martial status of the women. Additional tables provides data for women of various ages,

income and education level. The particular method is used to prevent the risk of pregnancies and

or the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection. African American women are prong to

these situations. With proper education about safe sex, the prevention of pregnancies and STI

infections can decline.


Contraceptive Use 15

References

Center for Disease Control. November 18, 2005. “Prevalence of contraceptive use among

women, by area, (Table) 1. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: 2002.”

Retrieved January 27, 2010.

(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5406a1.htm)

Center for Disease Control. November 18, 2005. “Prevalence of use of a specific birth

control method among persons of reproductive age, (Table) 4. By sex and selected

characteristics, Alabama: 2002.” Retrieved January 27, 2010.

(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5406a1.htm)

Finer, L., & Henshaw, S. (2006). Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy in the United

States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38(2), 93.

Retrieved from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/psrh/full/3809006.pdf

Piccinino, L., & Mosher, W. (1998). Trends in Contraceptive Use in the United States: 1

982-1995. Family Planning Perspectives, 30(1), 5. Retrieved from

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3000498.pdf

Piccinino, L., & Mosher, W. (1998). Trends in Contraceptive Use in the United States: 1

982-1995. Family Planning Perspectives, 30(1), 9. Retrieved from

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3000498.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau “Current Contraceptive Use by Women by Race and Martial Status:

2002.” Retrieved January 23, 2010.

(http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0097.pdf)

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