Contraceptive use and method among immigrant women in France: Relationship with socioeconomic status

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status and the use and method of contraception among immigrant, second-generation immigrant, and non-immigrant women in France. METHODS: We analysed data from the 2008-2009 survey 'Trajectories and origins: Survey on the diversity of populations in France'. A total of 7070 women aged 18 to 45 years were identified, and information concerning contraceptive use and choice was obtained by self-report. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to assess association estimates. RESULTS: Recent contraceptive use among immigrant and second-generation immigrant women was significantly lower than that of non-immigrant women. Lower educational attainment and unemployment were associated with an estimated 31˜59% reduction in odds of contraceptive use for immigrant and second-generation immigrant women; however, this was not the case for non-immigrant women. Among the latter, lower educational attainment appeared to be associated with increased use of oral contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the need to advance our understanding of potential barriers to contraceptives created by socioeconomic forces across different societal/cultural contexts.