Utilization of birth control services among homeless women

Although homeless women appear to beat notable risk of unintended pregnancy , insufficient attention has been paid to understanding their access to bir th control services and the characteristics of homeless women who want birt h control services. To address these research gaps, the authors analyzed da ta from a probability sample of 974 homeless women who were interviewed in shelters and meal programs in Los Angeles County. Multivariate logistic reg ression analysis revealed that among those women who wanted birth control s ervices during the past year, using these services was associated with fewe r perceived barriers to health care, having a regular source of care, consi stent use of contraception, and lower odds of alcohol dependence. Availabil ity and cost barriers to birth control services must be reduced, and effect ive service linkages should be developed among providers of birth control s ervices, substance abuse treatment, and primary care.