Prevalence and correlates of reproductive coercion among young women in Kingston, Jamaica

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2024-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

The Ohio State University

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Abstract

Introduction: Jamaica has a relatively high abortion and unintended pregnancy rate compared to other countries, which may be mediated by various barriers to contraception. Prior research has explored reproductive coercion and its influence on contraceptive uptake, but few studies examine correlates of reproductive coercion. We sought to identify the correlates of reproductive coercion among young women in Kingston, Jamaica. Study design: We analyzed data from a study of young women (N=222) attending a public clinic in Kingston in November 2018 to March 2019. To be eligible, women had to be 18-25 years of age, sexually active, and not desire pregnancy in the next 12 months. We categorized women as experiencing reproductive coercion if they agreed that their partner had pressured them to become pregnant, had ever stopped them from using a method to prevent pregnancy, had messed with or made it difficult to use a method to prevent pregnancy, or that their partner would stop them if they wanted to use a method to prevent pregnancy. We used logistic regression to examine associations between demographic and other factors (age, education, union status, employment, live children, contraception use) and reporting reproductive coercion. Results: Overall, 44.1% of women reported experiencing at least one form of reproductive coercion. Women agreed that their partner pressured them to become pregnant (20.4%), had ever stopped them from using a method to prevent pregnancy (16.7%), had messed with or made it difficult to use a method to prevent pregnancy (20.7%), and that their partner would stop them if they wanted to use a method to prevent pregnancy (24.4%). Women who had completed high school or less had higher odds of reporting reproductive coercion relative to those with more education (OR, 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2–6.5). Women aged 20-23 years also had higher odds of reporting reproductive coercion compared to women aged 24-25 years (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0–3.9). No other factor appeared to be associated. Conclusions: Reproductive coercion was a common issue in Jamaica, and was associated with lower educational attainment and younger age. Considering the role of partners is critical in efforts to increase contraception use for avoiding unintended pregnancy.

Description

Keywords

Reproductive coercion, Contraception, Reproductive autonomy, Pregnancy, Reproductive justice

Citation