[Neighborhood effects influencing reproductive health of Chilean women].
BACKGROUND
Fecundity rates have decreased considerably in Latin America, due to a higher contraceptive use and better family planning programs.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether neighborhood level socioeconomic variables have an independent effect on reported modern contraceptive use, over and above the effect of individual level measures of socioeconomic status and reproductive health behavior.


METHODS
Multilevel logistic models determined the effects of individual and neighborhood dimensions (socioeconomic status, urbanization, quality of public health facilities) on contraceptive use among 509 women aged 15 to 49 years living in 85 neighborhoods within the Region of Bio Bio, Chile.


RESULTS
After adjustment for women's individual socioeconomic characteristics and other risk factors, less favorable neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics were significantly associated with lower rates of modern contraceptive use.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the quality of facilities for family planning at the neighborhood level may enhance modern contraceptive use.
Merino
José Manuel
JM
Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C Correo 3, Concepción, Chile. jmerino@udec.cl
Olavarría
Sonia
S
Isla
Ximena
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014507:Urbanization