In France, whether rich or poor, women use contraceptive methods more or less. And although contraceptives are reimbursed in our country, this does not guarantee that low-income women obtain access to contraception.
Evoking contraception is putting your finger on a fundamental element of sexual and reproductive rights. And, remember, contraception allows women to make informed choices regarding a possible pregnancy.
Study of 15 million women
In ” Everything is explained “, THE podcast weekly editorial staff 20 minuteswe welcome Juliette Congy, researcher at theNational Institute of Demographic Studies (INED). Doctor in public health and epidemiology, she co-wrote a study covering nearly 15 million women aged 15 to 49 in France. This study, carried out using Health Insurance data in 2019, focuses on the means of contraception used by these women.
According to this study, just over a third of low-income women (36%) use reimbursed contraception, compared to almost half of higher-income women (46%). Poor young women use the pill less than the wealthiest (23% versus 38%), and more use implants than those with higher incomes (8% versus 4%). Finally, between 45 and 49 years old, low-income women use a hormonal intrauterine device less frequently (6% compared to 14%).
Contraception is not just about reimbursement
In this podcast, Juliette Congy returns to this data, before asking questions. Several non-financial barriers could explain differences in contraceptive use among women. The researcher mentions in particular the difficulties of access to health professionals who prescribe contraceptives, such as the difficulty in obtaining an appointment, or in administratively maintaining health coverage.
Another hypothesis: low-income women and young people are targeted in public health programs, due to a higher risk of unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, health professionals could encourage the use of contraceptives such as the implant.
What access to doctors?
Juliette Congy adds that access to a gynecologist could also be complicated for low-income women, and explain the low use of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).
To listen to all the explanations and hypotheses raised by this vast study on contraception in France, it’s in the audio player above. Good listening !
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