Acculturation and attitudes about contraceptive use among Latina women.

Previous studies have shown that acculturation among Latinos is associated with increases in health-risk behaviors. This study examined associations between acculturation and contraceptive use among 291 low- to moderately acculturated Latina women. Respondents completed a survey assessing acculturation, contraceptive use, and related attitudes. Moderately acculturated women expressed lower intentions to use contraceptives, were less certain that they would be able to use contraceptives consistently for the next 6 months, and reported lower social support for contraceptive use, than did unacculturated women. Unacculturated women expressed more traditional cultural attitudes favoring large families than did moderately acculturated women. Social norms and low self-efficacy may place moderately acculturated Latinas at high risk for unintended pregnancy and STDs.