Perceptions of a Spanish language Reproductive Health Self-assessment Tool Among Spanish-Speaking Women at a Federally Qualified Health Center

J Immigr Minor Health. 2020 Aug;22(4):691-700. doi: 10.1007/s10903-020-00988-6.

Abstract

Latinas face barriers to contraceptive and preconception care. Using a Reproductive Health Self-Assessment Tool (RH-SAT) before primary care visits may help overcome these barriers. Twenty Spanish-speaking women at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Chicago received the RH-SAT before their visit then completed a phone interview about their perceptions of the RH-SAT. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using a modified grounded theoretical approach. All participants self-reported Hispanic/Latina ethnicity, either of Mexican (N = 19) or Puerto Rican (N = 1) origin. Participants (1) believed the RH-SAT was easy to use and its content was useful for women with a variety of reproductive goals; (2) felt it provided new information about preparing for pregnancy and contraception; (3) were prompted by the RH-SAT to self-reflect and ask questions not previously considered; and (4) felt it could help overcome barriers some women experience in discussing reproductive health. Participants felt the RH-SAT provided new information and would prompt them to discuss contraception and/or preparing for pregnancy with their clinician. This tool has the potential to facilitate patient-clinician discussion of reproductive health in primary care and overcome barriers experienced by some Spanish-speaking women.

Keywords: Contraception; Federally Qualified Health Center; Latina; Mexican-origin; Preconception health; Reproductive life plan.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chicago / epidemiology
  • Contraception / methods
  • Cultural Competency
  • Family Planning Services / organization & administration
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Puerto Rico / ethnology
  • Reproductive Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Safety-net Providers / organization & administration*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Young Adult