Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors Influencing Type of Hormonal Contraceptive Use in Women in Developed vs Under-Developed Geographic Areas

Author Info

Michelle Minkanic Emily Tran

Corresponding Author

Michelle Minkanic
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA

A B S T R A C T

The intent of this study is to identify and compare sociocultural barriers in various geographic regions that impede access, type and use of hormonal contraception, and methods to improve restrictions in access. Understanding and addressing sociocultural barriers to hormonal contraception on a larger intercontinental scale can create a more effective and inclusive healthcare system. A search using PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase was conducted on current and past literature performed in various developmental countries. Terms such as “birth control access AND developed nations”, “barriers of hormonal contraception AND low-income countries” were used. Studies included ranged from RCTs, cross-sectional studies, literature reviews, and meta-analyses. Countries reviewed with lower levels of development in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America have demonstrated a rise in long-acting hormonal contraception (LARCs) after injectables. Barriers in these regions include misconceptions fertility and contraception use, access to modern contraceptives (these include oral and emergency contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, contraceptive patches and rings, intrauterine devices, female and male sterilization, vaginal barrier methods and female condoms), stigma and patriarchal settings that result in male influence on women’s reproductive choices. More developed regions of the world like the United States and Europe demonstrated a range of contraceptive options with the most compliance for intrauterine implants (IUDs) in younger reproductive women. The greatest hindrances for developed regions were cost, difficulty obtaining appointments, and fallacies for future fertility. Contraceptive education and culturally sensitive counseling should be emphasized for healthcare employees serving women with ease of access, and to strengthen reproductive support services. Advocating to provide underdeveloped regions with better contraceptive resources highlights an importance to give women globally the empowerment to choose the direction of their own reproductive journey.

Article Info

Article Type

Review Article

Publication history

Received: Mon 19, Feb 2024
Accepted: Mon 11, Mar 2024
Published: Tue 02, Apr 2024

Copyright

© 2023 Michelle Minkanic. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Hosting by Science Repository.
DOI: 10.31487/j.CEI.2024.01.01