A comparison of Hispanic and white adolescent females' use of family planning services in California.

CONTEXT In California, the adolescent birthrate among Hispanics is three times that among whites. Because Hispanics are projected to make up one-half of the state's adolescents by 2020, it is important to determine how cultural and health policy-relevant factors are linked to this group's use of family planning services. METHODS Data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey were used to examine characteristics of Hispanic and white females aged 14-17, including patterns of use of family planning services in the past year. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between selected characteristics and use of family planning services. RESULTS Compared with white adolescents, Hispanic adolescents came from poorer families, had a poorer health status, less commonly had a regular source of primary health care and had lower rates of alcohol and drug use, and of sexual experience. Although the proportion of sexually experienced Hispanics who had used family planning services was similar to that of whites (34% and 27%, respectively), the proportion who had ever been pregnant and used such services was significantly larger (42% vs. 9%). In the multivariate analysis, Hispanic adolescents who had ever been pregnant were significantly more likely than whites who had not to have used family planning services in the past year (odds ratio, 11.6). CONCLUSIONS A need exists for family planning programs to target Hispanic adolescents before they become pregnant, and to send a clear message that contraceptive services are available and should be used before a woman ever has a pregnancy.