Unintended Pregnancy Among Young Latinos in Rural Areas

说明： 拉丁裔女性意外怀孕的风险更大。这项拟议研究的目的是通过研究农村地区拉美裔青年成年青年避孕用具使用、性危险行为和预防艾滋病毒/性传播感染的决定因素，增加对意外怀孕的了解。在这项拨款申请中，我们请求资助四年来进行两项研究。在研究1中，我们将对拉丁裔女性和男性进行总共8-12次关键线人访谈和48-60次深入访谈，以及与医疗保健提供者进行3-6次关键线人访谈和6-8个焦点小组访谈。研究1的具体目的是：a)探讨拉丁裔青年男女如何预防意外怀孕；b)确定个人特征、方法特点、伴侣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)探讨最有可能影响持续使用有效避孕药具的因素；d)探讨拉丁裔青年男女如何保护自己免受艾滋病毒和性传播感染；e)查明促进或阻碍获得和使用艾滋病毒/性传播感染预防方法的因素；(F)说明性别角色、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，并将包括对年轻(18-25岁)拉美人(250名男性，250名女性)的面对面、结构化采访。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--与获得和使用避孕药具最密切相关；(B)确定哪些因素与持续使用有效避孕药具最密切相关；以及(C)确定哪些因素与性风险和保护性行为最相关。研究结果将对公共卫生方案和干预措施的发展产生重要影响，这些方案和干预措施最终将通过改善避孕用具的使用、减少性风险和改善生殖健康服务的提供来减少拉美年轻人的意外怀孕。

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.