In a new study in @CMAJ_Open, we analyzed survey data from @StatCan_eng to understand if #contraception use differed among female youth aged 15-24yrs by household income. bit.ly/2NkAYeU @cartgrac @e_nethery @wvnorman @DrLSchummers @womensresearch @CanPaedSociety /1
A more general summary of the study in the @ubcnews release here: bit.ly/2WPkGxV
Now attempting my first #tweetorial – shout out to @s_l_lake @ubcspph for this idea and her brilliant example /2
Now attempting my first #tweetorial – shout out to @s_l_lake @ubcspph for this idea and her brilliant example /2
Despite Canada’s universal health insurance, we do not have universal coverage of #contraception.
More effective methods like ‘the Pill’ can cost 15-40$
per month. Condoms are usually the cheapest, around $1 each, but are less effective in real-life conditions (85%). /3
More effective methods like ‘the Pill’ can cost 15-40$
per month. Condoms are usually the cheapest, around $1 each, but are less effective in real-life conditions (85%). /3
What we found: For low-income (household income <$80k/yr) female youth (15-24y), lower rates of the pill, dual methods (condoms and a second method) and more use of condoms-only or no method– when compared to high-income youth. /4 
Even after controlling for other factors (like age, marital status, student status, etc), being from a low-income household was still associated with a 15% decrease for ‘the pill’ and a 30% increase in using condoms. /5
Equitable access to #contraception is something that should be a key part of Canada's health care system. Eliminating cost barriers to contraception access through #UniversalSubsidy and @pharmacare2020 would lead to improved health and lower govt costs. /6
Other interesting findings: Roughly 3 out of 20 youth were not using any method – despite saying it was important for them to avoid a pregnancy.
In Quebec, where a private or public drug plan is govt mandated, we still found an income-based difference in contraception use. /7
In Quebec, where a private or public drug plan is govt mandated, we still found an income-based difference in contraception use. /7
Injectables (DMPA) were used by 2.5% of the study group. But, DMPA was more common in the low-income group (3%) vs the high income group (1.5%). Also, the rate of DMPA use was even higher, 10%, in the northern territories. /8
We also stratified by whether youth said they had a family doctor: 18% of female youth without a family doctor were using NO contraception method compared to 12% of those youth who did have a doctor. @CanPaedSociety /9
Further research can help identify and target strategies to address all barriers to improve access the full range of contraception options for all Canadians. /10
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