Reproductive Behavior, Contraceptive Use and Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections in California

Diana L. Greene, University of California, San Francisco
Mi Suk Kang, California Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Branch
Joan Chow, California Department of Health Services
Julia Bley, University of California, San Francisco
Nikki Baumrind, California Department of Social Services
Marta Induni, Public Health Institute
John Mikanda, California Department of Health Services
Philip Darney, University of California, San Francisco
Felicia Stewart, University of California, San Francisco

California is home to more than one out of eight American women of reproductive age. Despite its size, California’s diverse, growing population is not reflected in national reproductive health statistics. This paper describes risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among women in California based on the California Women’s Health Survey. Over 8,900 women of reproductive age who participated in this survey between 1998 and 2001 provide estimates of access to care and use of family planning methods in the state. Preliminary analyses show large differences in patterns of contraceptive use among women at risk of an unintended pregnancy. Statewide 18% of women at risk of unintended pregnancy are not using any method of contraception. We find low rates of contraceptive use among Southeast Asian women, women below the federal poverty level and women with no health insurance. Findings indicate substantial risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.