Over the past 15 years, more women veterans have been using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their health care needs. Researchers are interested in studying two things about these women. The first is rates of their birth control use. The second is rates of unplanned pregnancy.
A study at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is the first to collect this type of information. Researchers found that around a quarter of women (27 percent) who want to avoid pregnancy are not using an effective method of birth control. Also, more than a third of pregnancies (37 percent) each year among women veterans are unplanned.
These rates of unplanned pregnancy and nonuse of birth control are similar to what is seen in the general United States population of women of childbearing capacity. Researchers also found that among veterans, women of color were less likely than White women to use contraception. More research will explore the reasons behind these racial differences.
Unplanned pregnancies can be more difficult or dangerous for women veterans. They may suffer from more medical conditions or mental illness. Pittsburgh researchers will be examining whether women veterans with these issues feel that the VA is meeting their reproductive health needs. Studies like this will help guide efforts to improve the quality of health care they receive.
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