Factors associated with contraceptive nonuse among US women ages 35-44 years at risk of unwanted pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Women ages 35 years and older have the greatest proportion of contraceptive nonuse and unintended pregnancies ending in abortion.


METHODS
We conducted a population-based case-control study among women ages 35-44 years at risk of unwanted pregnancy using the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data to investigate risk factors for contraceptive nonuse.


RESULTS
At last intercourse, 9.8% of women reported not using any contraceptive method. Contraceptive nonusers, as compared to users, were more likely to be ages 40-44 years (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.7), foreign-born (OR=4.3, 95% CI 1.9-9.7), black (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0), with household incomes 100-249% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.8). Women who received contraceptive counseling in the past year had an 80% decreased risk of nonuse (95% CI 0.1-0.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Public health strategies to reduce unintended pregnancy, particularly among women ages 35 years and older, should focus on addressing disparities in contraceptive use and promoting contraceptive counseling.
Upson
Kristen
K
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. kupson@u.washington.edu
Reed
Susan D
SD
Prager
Sarah W
SW
Schiff
Melissa A
MA
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors