Social determinants of contraception use among rural adolescents: Implications for addressing disparities

Purpose

Few studies have examined disparities in—and social determinants of—contraception use among rural adolescents despite evidence of higher teen birth rates and greater STI risk in rural communities. Guided by a social determinants of health (SDoH) framework, this cross-sectional study aimed to address these gaps.

Methods

Data come from the 2018 Healthy Youth Survey, including N = 3757 sexually active, rural-based adolescents. Chi-square and independent samples t-tests examined group differences in rates of self-reported contraception use (condoms and any form of contraception) at last sex. Logistic regression models examined associations between SDoH factors (social/community, economic, and health care access) and contraception use outcomes.

Findings

Contraception use disparities were observed for rural-based youth identifying as Black, Asian, Indigenous, and Latino/a/x/e; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning their sexual identity (LGBQ); and those experiencing poverty. Regression models accounting for youth characteristics found that SDoH factors across the social/community domain—but not economic or health care access—were the strongest predictors of contraception use outcomes. In these models, LGBQ status remained negatively associated with contraception use.

Conclusions

Rural disparities in contraception use, particularly for marginalized youth, call for service approaches that are relevant and responsive to diverse needs. Findings also suggest that rural disparities are influenced by a complex interplay of social factors, where existing health care resources may not sufficiently mitigate youths’ adverse living conditions. Addressing contraception use disparities in rural communities will require greater uptake of comprehensive sexuality education and multilevel service approaches that attend to youths’ social contexts.