¡Encuentro! A Healthy Youth Development Project Adolescent Contraceptive Use: Perspectives of Local Latina Youth

Abstract

In the United States and in Minnesota, Latina youth have the highest rates of teen pregnancy and birth of all major racial/ethnic groups. Latina girls are also less likely to use contraception than their non-Latina peers. Thus, it is imperative to develop pregnancy prevention programs tailored to Latina youth and their social and cultural contexts. As part of the ¡Encuentro! study, conducted with funds from the CDC, the purpose of this research is to examine influences on Latina teens’ decisions around contraceptive use, using data from focus groups conducted with Twin Cities Latina youth ages 14-22. This poster presents preliminary findings, from analysis of data from two female focus groups. Preliminary findings suggest cultural, social and individual-level influences on local Latinas decisions related to contraceptive use.