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Contraceptives

Contraceptive Coverage Gaps Persist in Latin America and the Caribbean

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent review of 23 years of data on contraceptive inequalities among ethnic groups in Latin America and the Caribbean has revealed persistent gaps in contraceptive coverage, even as some countries show progress in reducing disparities. The study, published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, highlights the need for further research to understand the underlying causes of these inequalities and to enhance access to contraceptive services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.7, ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health, remains a challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting ethnic groups in the region.
  • A comprehensive literature review covering 23 years of evidence on contraceptive inequalities was conducted, analyzing 856 studies and identifying 33 studies that examined or compared contraceptive coverage based on ethnicity.
  • The countries with the highest output on this topic are Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador, with more than half of the studies relying on national representative surveys.
  • Most studies focused on women of reproductive age, while only five included adolescents, and eight studies analyzed Afro-descendant populations.
  • 85% of the studies identified lower usage rates or probabilities among ethnic minorities, with persistent gaps in contraceptive coverage.
  • The review highlights the need for further research in countries showing progress and among subgroups, such as adolescents or intra-country ethnic groups.

Statistics:

  • 856 studies were identified in the literature review.
  • 92 full texts were reviewed, and 33 studies were included in the analysis.
  • 22 studies relied on national representative surveys.
  • 27 studies included indigenous populations.
  • 85% of the studies identified lower usage rates or probabilities among ethnic minorities.
  • The countries with the highest output on this topic are Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador.

Sources:

  • International Journal for Equity in Health. 2025;24(1):272. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; International Journal for Equity in Health - www.equityhealthj.com)
  • NewsRx. New Equity in Health Data Have Been Reported by Researchers at Universidad Central del Ecuador (Ethnic inequalities and contraception in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 620.

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