Developing Culturally Relevant Educational Materials About Emergency Contraception

Abstract

New York City has growing numbers of Mexican and Caribbean born residents, who have been identified as underserved communities for reproductive health care. We conducted exploratory focus groups to develop and test messages about emergency contraception that would be culturally relevant to these communities. Findings reveal lack of knowledge about what emergency contraception is and how it works, concerns about safety, and health care barriers. Multiple messages were tested in Spanish and English, and participants expressed positive attitudes about using emergency contraception once they knew that is was different from an abortion pill.

This research was made possible by a grant from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to Planned Parenthood of New York City for the Emergency Contraception Education and Outreach Program. The authors thank Nyanda Labor from New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Haydee Morales, Michele Bayley, Yvonne Garcia, and Roger Rathman from Planned Parenthood of New York City. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.

Notes

Three focus groups were conducted: 1. Mexican women, 2. Anglophone Caribbean women, and 3. community-based organization (CBO) staff.