Unintended Pregnancy Among Young Latinos in Rural Areas

产品说明： 拉丁裔妇女意外怀孕的风险不成比例。拟议的研究的目的是增加农村拉丁美洲人之间的意外怀孕的理解，通过检查避孕药具的使用，性风险行为和艾滋病毒/性传播感染的预防在年轻的成年拉丁美洲人在农村环境中的决定因素。在这份资助申请中，我们请求支持4年来进行两项研究。在研究1中，我们将进行总共8-12个关键线人访谈和48-60个与拉丁美洲妇女和男子的深入访谈，以及3-6个关键线人访谈和6-8个与医疗保健提供者的焦点小组。研究1的具体目的是：a）探索年轻的拉丁美洲妇女和男子做什么来防止意外怀孕; B）确定个人特征，方法特征，合作伙伴和关系因素，以及促进或阻碍获得和使用避孕药具的背景因素; c）探索最有可能影响持续使用有效避孕药具的因素; d）探讨年轻的拉丁美洲妇女和男子做什么来保护自己免受艾滋病毒和性传播感染; e）确定促进或阻碍艾滋病毒/性传播感染预防方法的获取和使用的因素;和f）描述性别角色，男性参与和权力差异在性行为和决策中的影响。研究2将建立在形成性研究的基础上，并将包括与年轻（18-25岁）拉丁美洲人（250名男性，250名女性）的面对面结构化访谈。研究2的具体目的是：a）确定哪些因素--包括个人特征、方法特征、关系/伴侣因素和背景因素--与避孕药具的获得和使用最密切相关; B）确定哪些因素与有效避孕药具的持续使用最密切相关;以及c）确定哪些因素与性风险和保护行为最密切相关。研究结果将对公共卫生计划和干预措施的制定产生重要影响，这些计划和干预措施将通过提高避孕药具的使用率，减少性风险，改善生殖健康服务的提供，最终减少年轻拉丁美洲人的意外怀孕。

DESCRIPTION: Latino women are disproportionately at risk for unintended pregnancies. The objective of the proposed research is to increase understanding of unintended pregnancy among rural Latinos by examining determinants of contraceptive use, sexual risk behavior and HIV/STI prevention among young adult Latinos in rural settings. In this grant application, we request support for 4 years to conduct two studies. In Study 1, we will conduct a total of 8-12 key informant interviews and 48-60 in-depth interviews with Latino women and men, as well as 3-6 key informant interviews and 6-8 focus groups with health care providers. The specific aims of Study 1 are to a) explore what young Latino women and men do to prevent unintended pregnancy; b) identify the personal characteristics, method characteristics, partner and relationship factors, and contextual factors that facilitate or impede the acquisition and use of contraceptives; c) explore the factors that are most likely to influence consistent use of effective contraceptives; d) explore what young Latino women and men do to protect themselves from HIV and STIs; e) identify factors that facilitate or impede the acquisition and use of HIV/STI prevention methods; and f) characterize the influence of gender roles, male involvement, and power differentials in sexual behavior and decision-making. Study 2 will build on the formative research and will include in-person, structured interviews with young (aged 18-25 years) Latinos (250 men, 250 women). The specific aims of Study 2 are to a) determine which factors - including personal characteristics, method characteristics, relationship/partner factors, and contextual factors - are most strongly associated with acquisition and use of contraceptives; b) determine which factors are most strongly associated with consistent use of effective contraceptives; and c) determine which factors are most strongly associated with sexual risk and protective behavior. Findings will have important implications for the development of public health programs and interventions that will ultimately lead to the reduction of unintended pregnancy among young Latinos by improving contraceptive use, reducing sexual risk taking, and improving the delivery of reproductive health services.