Original researchReproductive correlates of depressive symptoms among low-income minority women
Section snippets
Materials and methods
A retrospective, self-reported, paper-and-pencil survey was designed and administered as part of standard care to assess health status and risk behaviors among women who attended the University of Texas Medical Branch family planning clinics located in southeast Texas between October 11, 1999, and November 30, 2000. Pregnant women and those less than 4 weeks postpartum were excluded. During the recruitment period, the survey was offered to all eligible patients at the time of check-in for their
Results
Women ranged in age from 12 to 40 years of age (mean ± standard deviation, 24.3 ± 6.4). Approximately a quarter of the sample was Hispanic; 22% were black and 48% were white (Table 1). One-third of the sample had not completed high school, and half were not employed outside the home. Nearly one-third of the women were married. An additional 52% reported having a current partner, but were not married. Approximately half of the women reported that their home was rented (compared with owned), and
Discussion
Many of the findings of this regional investigation are consistent with those noted in an earlier, smaller study on adolescent women conducted at our institution.6 Both studies observed that depressive symptoms classified as moderate or greater are associated with unemployment, not completing high school, inconsistent use of birth control, and tobacco use. Furthermore, both studies noted an association between depressive symptoms and number of sexual partners; those who reported more sexual
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2015, ContraceptionCitation Excerpt :Prior studies, however, have demonstrated low 12-month adherence and continuation with user-dependent hormonal contraceptive methods among Veterans, with risk factors including receipt of 1-month versus 3-month supply, black or Hispanic race, and lower income [21,22]. Recent data highlight mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) as important risk factors for inconsistent use of contraception [23,24] and contraceptive nonuse [25,26]. Given high rates of mental illnesses such as depression and PTSD among Veterans [4–6], these risk factors are of particular importance among female VA health care users.
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