High Self-Efficacy Is Associated with Prescription Contraceptive Use

Odessa P. Hamidi, Timothy Deimling, Erik Lehman, Carol Weisman, Cynthia Chuang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: In the United States, 45% of pregnancies continue to be unintended. Although many previous studies have focused on external barriers to contraceptive use such as cost or access, fewer studies have evaluated internal barriers such as individual characteristics. We hypothesize that high self-efficacy for contraception will be associated with use of more effective contraceptive methods. Study Design: The analytic sample is 861 privately insured Pennsylvania women aged 18 to 40 years not intending pregnancy for 12 months at enrollment. Contraceptive self-efficacy (high vs. low) was measured using an eight-item scale. The association of self-efficacy with prescription contraceptive use was determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for future pregnancy intention, history of unintended pregnancy, number of live births, non-White race, frequency of sexual intercourse, marital status, and age group. Results: Prescription contraceptive use was higher among those with high self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.37). Conclusions: Women with high self-efficacy for contraception had an increased use of prescription contraceptive methods compared with nonprescription methods. Strategies for encouraging effective contraceptive choices in women with low contraceptive self-efficacy should be further studied.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)509-513
Number of pages5
JournalWomen's Health Issues
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health(social science)
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Maternity and Midwifery

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