Population-Level Variations in Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Method Adoption Associated with Acculturation (Contraception)
Summary: Acculturation, the adaptation of beliefs or behaviors to a new culture, may influence immigrants’ engagement in family planning. Using California population data, researchers examined the association between acculturation level and contraceptive decision-making.
Authors used 2015–2020 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) weighted population data to explore the relationship between acculturation and contraceptive use. They examined associations between acculturation level and (1) health care engagement, (2) overall contraceptive use, and (3) contraceptive choice.
Findings: Lower acculturation levels were associated with lower likelihood of an annual doctor’s visit and greater difficulty understanding their doctor due to language barriers. While less acculturated people used contraception less overall, they more commonly used female sterilization and condoms. More acculturated people utilized hormonal methods: implant, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), patch, and injection.
Overall, less acculturated Californians primarily choose non-hormonal contraception at opposite ends of the efficacy and invasiveness spectra, while more acculturated people use hormonal methods. Further analyses will determine if these observations are mediated by differential health care access vs. true preferences.
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