Lily – Annotated Bibliography 1

Lily Molstad

The Accessibility of Birth Control and its Effects on Women

Introduction

Birth control and contraceptives are not universally available to women. There are

barriers to accessibility such as age, knowledge, and economic status. There can be negative

effects of not having easily accessible birth control, such as unsafe abortions that have the ability

to result in death for the mother. There are organizations working to improve the availability of

contraceptives and other sexual healthcare needs alike, such as Planned Parenthood.

Barriers to Accessing Contraceptives

The barriers to accessing contraceptives for women include, but are not limited to, age,

economic status, and knowledge about the topic. According to social demographer Jennifer

Yarger, “contraceptive use is lower among students attending community college than 4-year

college students” (1). Her study found that this was likely because of financial barriers, and that

49% of the surveyed population from the community college was, “concerned about the cost of

contraceptives” (1). With lower costing birth control, there would be a greater percentage of

women able to access contraceptives. Another study done by Dr. Olivia N. Kachingwe found

that “homeless youth have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs” (6).

This is not only because of their economic status, but their age. Many sexually active youth that

were a part of the survey expressed their wishes for delaying pregnancy in their lives but were

not currently using contraceptives (6). Age is another factor that can make accessing

contraceptives more difficult for them, especially without parents supportive of the situation in

some states. A study conducted on young adults ages 17-21 found that they were lacking
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 2

knowledge surrounding contraceptive methods, intercourse, and other things like the menstrual

cycle (3). Knowledge of contraceptives and the way they are meant to be used is another barrier

women can face with using birth control. Head researcher on this study, Agnieszka

Skrzeckowska, believes that “education in the fields of sexuality, contraceptives, and family

planning methods should be included in primary school curriculum” (3). Within their survey,

only 12% of participants could correctly answer questions on these topics (3). Without proper

education, women cannot be expected to access or use contraceptives correctly.

The Negative Effects of Lacking Access to Contraceptives 5 7

There are many negative effects of non-accessible birth control for women. Dr. Amy G.

Bryant, a clinical researcher and associate professor at UNC, conducted a study among 10

abortion clinics located in North Carolina (4). After surveying 400 women, she found that 29%

proceeding with abortions states that they had wanted or intended to use birth control prior to

pregnancy but were not able (4). Since they were not able to prevent this pregnancy, they will be

forced to terminate it. A woman living in Georgia, who was not lucky enough to access a safe

abortion, decided to self-induce an abortion from home (5). After consuming 10 tablets of oral

misoprostol, and passed the fetus, but a week later she was sent to the hospital where they

diagnosed her as septic (5). In less than 15 hours from being admitted, she passed away (5). With

education on proper birth control use as well as accessibility, the pregnancy and the entire

situation could have possibly been avoided.

Change and Improving Accessibility

Although still an issue, non-profit organizations like Planned Parenthood push to improve

the percentage of women who are without accessibility to contraceptives and general sexual

healthcare (2). A study based out of Louisiana and Kentucky and conducted by Anna Newton

Lewis, PhD and Master of Public Health, found that 60% of Planned Parenthoods patients “did

not have a regular source of care” and 40% “did not have stable insurance” (2). They are able to

provide vital services that can be otherwise unavailable to women. As of 2020, “Planned

Parenthood is set to open up 50 new clinics at Los Angeles-area high schools” (8). These clinic

locations will be determined by the income of the communities and are reported to be complete

by 2023. The clinics “will offer birth–control options, testing and treatment for sexually

transmitted diseases, and pregnancy counseling” (8). Young people having these services

available in school increases the accessibility of contraceptives and other helpful resources.

Conclusion

Improving availability and accessibility of birth control for women can have many

positive effects. With proper use of available birth control, women can be protected from

unplanned pregnancies, and receive the other helpful benefits contraceptives have to give to

women.
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 4

Sources:

1. Yarger. “Concerns About the Cost of Contraception Among Young Women Attending

Community College.” Women’s Health Issues. 31.5 (2021): 420–425. Print.

In “Concerns About the Cost of Contraception Among Young Women Attending

Community College”, the author states that “contraceptive use is lower among students attending

community college than 4-year college students”. After analyzing some statistics about these

young women, they found that this may be due to financial barriers. 49% of the participants of

the study were “concerned about the cost of contraception”, and these women were more likely

to be insured. In conclusion, there are many "concerns about the affordability” of birth control,

therefore inaccessible to a large percentage of young women (this study was performed on

women ages 18-25).

Jennifer Yarger is a social demographer in San Francisco, California. She conducted this

study about women in college, alongside many other articles concerning sexual and reproductive

health. She received her PhD in 2011 and now works at UCSF, a university known for

innovation in medical research.

https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.library.und.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=e0d31974-

ab05-48db-b143-

e0e7a3526a42%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=152427

702&db=asn

2. Newton-Levinson. “Influences on Women’s Care Seeking at Planned Parenthood Health

Centers in Two Southern States.” Women’s Health Issues. 31.5 (2021): 485–493. Print.
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 5

Planned Parenthood is an organization that is pushing to improve the percentage of

women who are without accessibility to contraceptives general sexual healthcare. A study based

out of Louisiana and Kentucky surveying 725 women found that 60% of women using services

from Planned Parenthood “did not have a regular source of care” and 40% of that group did not

have stable insurance. Planned Parenthood provides "vital services” to women of all ages that

may not have access to contraceptives otherwise .

Anna Newton-Lewis, the main conductor of this research, has a PhD and a Master of Public

Health. Her main research focuses surround the topics of sexual and reproductive health

programs, and access to family planning services. Newton-Lewis has experience working in

OB/GYN settings, conducted a family planning intervention in Ethiopia, and she worked at the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assisting with HIV/AIDS cases and more. Anna

Newton-Lewis was selected as Society of Family Planning Emerging Scholar in 2018.

https://und.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/openurl?institution=01ODIN_UND&vid=01ODI

N_UND:und&atitle=Influences%20on%20Women%27s%20Care%20Seeking%20at%20Planne

d%20Parenthood%20Health%20Centers%20in%20Two%20Southern%20States.&aulast=Newto

n Levinson,%20Anna&volume=31&issue=5&spage=485&pages=485-

493&issn=10493867&title=Women%27s%20Health%20Issues&sid=EBSCO:Academic%20Sea

rch%20Ultimate&genre=article&date=20210901

3. Skrzeczkowska. “Knowledge of Contraceptive Methods Among Adolescents/young

Adults.” Zdrowie publiczne / 125.3 (2015): 144–148. Print.

After conducting a study on men and women aged 17-21, they found that these young

adults were lacking knowledge surrounding contraception methods, intercourse, and other things
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 6

like the menstrual cycle. Skrzeczkowska believes that “education in the fields of sexuality,

contraceptive and family planning methods should be included in primary school curriculum”.

Only 12% of people knew correct information about the methods or hormonal contraceptives.

The study found that age 16 was the most common age to become sexually active, which is

younger than our study group who still was unlikely to have correct knowledge of contraceptive

methods.

This research led by Agnieszka Skrzeczkowska is her only research to be found.

Assistant Jerzy Heimrich does possess a degree in obstetrics and gynecology, and over 20 years

of experience in his field. Although she may not be a reliable source, Heimrich does have lots of

knowledge about this field.

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4a70-433a-a917

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84&db=asn

4. Bryant, Amy. “Contraceptive Practices, Preferences, and Barriers Among Abortion

Clients in North Carolina.” Southern medical journal. 111.6 (2018): 317–323. Print.

Amy G. Bryant conducted research among 10 abortion clinics located in North Carolina. The

goal was to find barriers and preferences for women with contraceptives. After surveying almost

400 women, 29% proceeding with abortions stated that they had wanted or intended to use birth

control prior to pregnancy but were not able to. 76% of the surveyed population stated that

they’d like to use some form of contraception, following this abortion. These statistics show
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 7

women's desires for contraception, and with proper distribution it is possible that abortion rates

could decrease.

Dr. Amy G. Bryant is a clinical researcher and an associate professor at the University of North

Carolina. Apart from teaching and researching, Bryant also works as an obstetrician/gynecologist

in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and is associated with the UNC Hospitals. Some of her main areas

of focus for her research are abortion, contraception, and family planning. Bryant is an MD

(Doctor of Medicine) and has her MSCR (Master of Science and Clinical Research).

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5. Berdzuli, Nino, et al. “A Maternal Death from Self-Induced Medical Abortion: A Call for

Action.” European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, vol. 22, no. 5,

Oct. 2017, pp. 393–95. EBSCOhost, doiorg.ezporxy.library.und.edu/10.1080/13625187.2

017.1390080.

A 34-year-old woman living in Georgia attempting a self-induced abortion to terminate her 18-

week pregnancy. After consuming 10 tablets of oral misoprostol, the fetus was expelled shortly

following. One week later, the woman had large amounts vaginal bleeding, an increased heart

rate, and difficulty breathing. She was admitted into the hospital, and shortly found out she had

sepsis from the remaining placenta she failed to expel. Within only 15 hours in the hospital with

intense care, she died. Although Georgia allowed abortion at the time, there are economic

roadblocks separating many women from the procedure. This issue could potentially be avoided

for many other women with safe and accessible birth control/contraceptives, and education on

usage.
 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 8

Dr. Nino Berdzuli, the writer of this journal article, is a doctor and public health professional.

She is currently the Senior Reproductive Health Advisor at John Snow Inc., a public health

research center located in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Berdzuli also joined the World Health

Organization/Europe otherwise known as WHO, and she also became director of the Divisions of

Country Health Programs.

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6. Kachingwe, Olivia N., et al. “‘I Told Him I’m Gonna Get It’: Intimate Partner Birth

Control Communication among Homeless Young Women.” Culture, Health & Sexuality,

Jan. 2022, pp. 1–17. EBSCOhost, doi-

org.ezproxy.library.und.edu/10.1080/13691058.2021.2025431.

According to statistics, “Homeless youth have disproportionately high rates of unintended

pregnancy and STIs”. A study conducted by Olivia N. Kachingwe aimed to see how the

homeless youth population discusses birth control. Many expressed that they wished to delay

pregnancy in their lives but feared side effects from birth control.

Olivia N. Kachingwe, the leader of this study on homeless youth, is an MCH Postdoctoral

Research Fellow at John Hopkins. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a PhD in

behavioral and community health following graduating from Brown University with her master’s

degree, and the University of Pennsylvania with her bachelor's in public health. Her main interest

in research is the topic of sexual health, which she has conducted five other studies on.

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 Lily – Annotated Bibliography 9

7. Dee, Deborah L., et al. “Trends in Repeat Births and Use of Postpartum Contraception

Among Teens - United States, 2004-2015.” MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly

Report, vol. 66, no. 16, Apr. 2017, pp. 422–26. EBSCOhost, doi-

org.ezproxy.library.und.edu/10.15585/mmwr.mm6616a3

Sexually active adolescents not using contraceptives are far more likely to become pregnant than

those using contraceptives. Although possible, becoming pregnant before the age of 20 can have

many negative effects on women. “Teen childbearing can have negative health, social, and

economic consequences for mothers and their children”. Teen moms lose out on many economic

opportunities, because they lose out on a crucial point in life to enter the workforce or receive an

education. Over 17% of teens use no form of contraceptives postpartum, and many end up with a

repeat birth.

Deborah L. Dee, the leader of this study, is a scientist at the Center for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC). Specifically, she works in the Division of Reproductive Health in the Applied

Science Branch. She is qualified to discuss this content because she has her doctoral and master's

degree in maternal and child health as well as epidemiology.

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8. “Planned Parenthood to Open Clinics at 50 Los Angeles High Schools.” New American

(08856540), vol. 36, no. 1, Jan. 2020, p. 7. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-

com.ezproxy.library.und.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=140755293&site=eho

st-live&scope=site.
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Planned Parenthood is non-profit organization in the United States that provides many essential

reproductive health care services. They are a major resource for young women, or women who

struggle economically. “Planned Parenthood is set to open up 50 new clinics at Los Angeles-area

high school” as of 2020. These locations will be selected by income, placing the clinics in low-

income areas of Los Angeles where they are needed the most. They “will offer birth–control

options, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy counseling”.

Young people having these services available in school increases the accessibility of

contraceptives and other helpful resources. The clinics are reported to be finished by 2023.

This article was a part of the New American Magazine. The magazine covers a lot of political

and economic issues in the United States. The problem with getting information from a magazine

is that we can’t be 100% trusting of the author, because we cannot be sure if they’re qualified to

give this information. The author of this specific article in the magazine is also unlisted.

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