[Contraception in immigrant women: influence of sociocultural aspects on the choice of contraceptive method]

Abstract

There are currently 6 million immigrants living in Spain. Half of them are women, the majority of whom are of childbearing age. These women, who suffer high rates of induced abortion, form a special group who require a special approach to their reproductive health. In order to study the use of contraceptive methods in this population, a review was made of 1100 clinical histories from our Sexual Health and Reproduction Clinic. Latin American women were the most prevalent group who came to seek information about contraception, followed by Eastern Europeans and Moroccans. Fewer Asian and Sub-Saharan women sought these services. The contraceptives most frequently used were the intrauterine device (used mostly by Latin American and Eastern European women), and combined oral contraception, most used by Moroccan women. It is important to advise the immigrant women about contraceptive methods, taking into account their preferences, in order to improve adherence to the method.

Keywords: Anticoncepción; Contraception; Embarazo; Immigration; Induced abortion; Inmigración; Interrupción voluntaria del embarazo; Nacionalidad; Nationality; Pregnancy; Salud de la mujer; Women's health.