Exploring Contraceptive Experiences of Abortion-Fund Clients in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States from a Reproductive Justice Lens

Abstract

This study focuses on the contraceptive experiences of abortion-fund applicants to draw attention to various elements that restrict the realization of reproductive justice in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. This study uses qualitative data from 830 applications to an abortion fund submitted between 2013 and 2022. Our findings highlight a range of experiences, from contraceptive failure and side effects, to diminished access and reproductive coercion. Abortion-fund applicants described individual, interpersonal, and structural factors that shaped their access to contraception. This study calls for various interventions, including implementing comprehensive sex education, to ensure reproductive justice.

Keywords:

• Abortion
• contraception
• abortion fund
• reproductive justice

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

Due to the nature of the research and to protect participant confidentiality, supporting data is not available.

Notes

1 The Rocky Mountain Region, or more broadly known as the Mountain West Region, is generally considered to include the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The abortion fund in this particular study is located in the northern portion of the Rocky Mountain Region (which contains the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming).