Differences in Contraceptive Method Discontinuation and Contraceptive Method Preferences by Disability Status.

Background: Contraceptive care delivery to people with disabilities must be contextualized within the U.S. history of stratified reproduction and eugenics. Significant sexual and reproductive health inequities have been documented between people with disabilities and those without disabilities in family planning service receipt and contraceptive method use. Little research has examined how discontinuation of contraception or dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods may differ for people with disabilities.

Objective: This study assesses differences in contraceptive desires and experiences between disabled and nondisabled individuals.

Methods: Our sample included self-identified female respondents from the 2011-2019 National Survey of Family Growth. We examined demographic and sexual and reproductive health differences between disabled and nondisabled respondents based on self-report of disabilities. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models estimated differences in contraceptive method discontinuation due to dissatisfaction and method choice based on cost.

Results: Differences by disability status were found for reports of fecundity and the contraceptive method used in the past 12 months. In both unadjusted and adjusted models, significantly more disabled people than nondisabled people reported having discontinued their method because of dissatisfaction and having wanted to use a different method if cost were not an issue.

Conclusions: Self-reported disabilities are associated with contraceptive method dissatisfaction and unmet contraceptive preferences. Efforts are needed to tailor person-centered clinical care that is responsive to this population's reproductive wants and needs.