Abstract

PIP: The US Center for Disease Control surveyed women of reproductive age living on the US side of the Mexican border as to contraceptive use and source of care. It found that overall contraceptive practice is quite similar among married Hispanic and Anglo (white, non-Hispanic) women: 75% of Anglo and 66% of Hispanics use some method. Among never marrieds however, Anglos are twice as likely as Hispanics to use a method. About 22% of Anglo and 12% of Hispanic women are protected from pregnancy by contraceptive sterilization of themselves or partners, the difference almost entirely attributable to a very low incidence of vasectomy among Hispanic males. The pill is the most popular reversible method among both groups. Hispanic women are more likely to go to Planned Parenthood or health department clinics, Anglo women to go to private physicians or clinics. Unmet need is much higher among Hispanics: about 4 times the proportion of married Hispanic women as comparable Anglo women were at risk of unintended pregnancy and were using no method.