Contraception use among female youth with disabilities: Secondary analysis of a Canadian cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundNon-use of contraception among sexually active youth is an important contributor to unintended pregnancy, but contraception use among disabled youth is poorly understood. ObjectiveTo compare contraception use in female youth with and without disabilities. MethodsWe used data from the 2013–2014 Canadian Community Health Survey on sexually active 15 to 24-year-old females with (n = 831) and without (n = 2,700) a self-reported functional or activity limitation, who reported that it was important to them to avoid getting pregnant. We used log binomial regression to derive adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for use of any vs. no contraception, and for oral contraception, injectable contraception, condoms, other contraception methods, and dual methods separately, comparing youth with and without disabilities. Adjusted analyses controlled for age, school enrollment, household income, marital status, race/ethnicity, immigrant status, and health region. ResultsThere were no differences in the use of any contraception (85.4% vs. 84.2%; aPR 1.03, 95% CI 0.998–1.06), oral contraception (aPR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92–1.05), condoms (aPR 1.00, 95% CI 0.92–1.09), or dual methods (aPR 1.02, 95% CI 0.91–1.15), comparing youth with and without disabilities. Those with disabilities were more likely to use injectable contraception (aPR 2.31, 95% CI 1.59–3.38) and other contraception methods (aPR 1.54, 95% CI 1.25–1.90). ConclusionYouth at risk of unintended pregnancy had similar overall use of contraception, regardless of disability status. Future studies should examine the reasons for higher uptake of injectable contraception in youth with disabilities, with possible implications for health care provider education on access to youth-controlled methods for this group.