Sociocultural Correlates of Contraceptive Method Use Among Partnered U.S. Women: Findings from NCHAT

Authors

• Sarah A. Alkhatib, University of North Texas HealthFollow
• Rohit BalasundaramFollow
• Kaeli Johnson, University of North Texas Health Science CenterFollow
• Stacey B. Griner, University of North Texas Health Science CenterFollow
• Malinee Neelamegam, University of North Texas Health Science CenterFollow
• Erika L. Thompson, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioFollow

Abstract

This study examined sociocultural correlates of contraceptive method use among partnered U.S. women using 2020–2021 National Couples’ Health and Time Study data (N = 775; sterilized women excluded). Multinomial logistic regression assessed associations between method used at last sex—long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; e.g., IUD, implant), short-acting reversible contraception (SARC; e.g., pill, patch, ring, shot), other methods, or none—and religious affiliation, nativity (U.S.-born vs. foreign-born), race/ethnicity, education, insurance status, and age. Education and age were significantly associated with method choice. Graduate-level education was associated with higher odds of LARC use versus none (aOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 1.89–13.03). Women aged 18–34 had lower odds of LARC (aOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65) and SARC (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.60) compared to women aged 35–50. Religious affiliation was not significant overall, though atheist identification was associated with higher SARC use (aOR = 5.05, 95% CI: 1.28–19.90). Nativity, race/ethnicity, and insurance status were not significantly associated with method choice. Findings underscore the role of education and life stage in contraceptive decision-making.

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3185-710X

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Recommended Citation

Alkhatib, Sarah A.; Balasundaram, Rohit; Johnson, Kaeli; Griner, Stacey B.; Neelamegam, Malinee; and Thompson, Erika L. (2026) "Sociocultural Correlates of Contraceptive Method Use Among Partnered U.S. Women: Findings from NCHAT," Health Behavior Research: Vol. 9: No. 1.