BACKGROUND: Fecundity rates have decreased considerably in Latin America, due to a higher contraceptive use and better family planning programs. AIM: To determine whether neighborhood level socioeconomic variables have an independent effect on reported modern contraceptive use, over and above the effect of individual level measures of socioeconomic status and reproductive health behavior. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Multilevel logistic models determined the effects of individual and neighborhood dimensions (socioeconomic status, urbanization, quality of public health facilities) on contraceptive use among 509 women aged 15 to 49 years living in 85 neighborhoods within the Region of Bio Bio, Chile. RESULTS: After adjustment for women's individual socioeconomic characteristics and other risk factors, less favorable neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics were significantly associated with lower rates of modern contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the quality of facilities for family planning at the neighborhood level may enhance modern contraceptive use.
BACKGROUND: Fecundity rates have decreased considerably in Latin America, due to a higher contraceptive use and better family planning programs. AIM: To determine whether neighborhood level socioeconomic variables have an independent effect on reported modern contraceptive use, over and above the effect of individual level measures of socioeconomic status and reproductive health behavior. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Multilevel logistic models determined the effects of individual and neighborhood dimensions (socioeconomic status, urbanization, quality of public health facilities) on contraceptive use among 509 women aged 15 to 49 years living in 85 neighborhoods within the Region of Bio Bio, Chile. RESULTS: After adjustment for women's individual socioeconomic characteristics and other risk factors, less favorable neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics were significantly associated with lower rates of modern contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the quality of facilities for family planning at the neighborhood level may enhance modern contraceptive use.