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This study examines, on a per-case basis, the social costs associated with contraceptive failures and resulting term pregnancies. To combat unintended pregnancy and escalating health care costs, the public sector needs to provide greater access to highly effective methods of contraception.
The effects that such factors as wages, welfare policies and access to physicians, family planning clinics and abortion providers have on abortion rates and birthrates are examined in analyses based on 1978-1988 state-level data and longitudinal regression techniques. The incidence of abortion is found to be lower in states where access to providers is reduced and state policies are restrictive. Calculations indicate that decreased access may have accounted for about one-quarter of the 5% decline in abortion rates between 1988 and 1992. In addition, birthrates are elevated where the costs of contraception are higher because access to obstetrician-gynecologists and family planning services is reduced. Economic resources such as higher wages for men and women and generous welfare benefits are significantly and consistently related to increased birthrates; however, even a 10% cut in public assistance benefits would result in only one birth fewer for every 212 women on welfare. Economic factors showed no consistent relationship with abortion rates.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this article is to review the experiences of family planning clinic providers in making Norplant available to adolescents. We look specifically at the proportions of women receiving the implant from these providers who are teenagers, the policies adopted regarding implant education and whether or not parental consent is required for minors. Pricing policies and the implications of high method cost for teenagers are discussed. Finally, some of the policies adopted by state agencies related to adolescent use of the implant are reviewed. METHODS: The data come from two national surveys conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI). The first, a survey of family planning agencies, collected data from 616 family planning providers of clinic services (response rate 69%). The second surveyed the Medicaid, health and welfare agencies in all 51 jurisdictions about policies related to Norplant. RESULTS: Over one-quarter of all contraceptive implants inserted by family planning agencies were provided to teenagers. Teenagers were routinely informed about the implant in about 85% of those clinics offering implant services. Few state agencies notify women about the implant. Twenty-three percent of all family planning agencies providing implant services report that parental consent must be obtained prior to implant insertion. The Medicaid program has paid for a majority of implant insertions at family planning agencies. CONCLUSIONS: Teenagers who rely on publicly funded family planning clinics for contraceptive services face a variety of barriers in obtaining Norplant. High method cost, parental consent requirements and issues related to Medicaid eligibility are likely to deter some teenagers who might otherwise choose Norplant.
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In a country of 6 million that is the hemisphere's poorest, an American-supported Haitian campaign against AIDS has moved beyond getting people to ask questions about the risk of disease and helped make condom use commonplace. Within a year, the program has gone from selling about 40,000 condoms a month to nearly half a million. The story of condom use in Haiti, experts say, is one of careful attention to local psychology and culture. Equally important, they say, has been the subsidized price, currently about 3 cents each. In Haiti, despite infection rates that are thought to approach 10% in urban areas, there has been strong resistance to belief in the threat posed by AIDS.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.