Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that when free birth controls were distributed among women, the rate of teen pregnancy and abortion came down drastically.
An experimental project carried out by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that abortion and teen pregnancy rates were dramatically decreased when free birth controls were distributed among women. The study was carried out from 2005 to 2011 and the findings were published in Obstetrics & Gynecology Thursday.
Nearly 9,000 women and teen girls aged between 17 and 45 took part in the study. The participants were given birth controls of their choice ranging from IUDs to implants and pills. Those that were unaware were also counseled on the fact that implants and IUDs were far more effective than pills. It was found that when price of the contraceptives didn't matter, most women chose implants which would generally cost them hundreds of dollars. It was found that most women preferred the most effective contraceptive.
The study also confirmed that free birth controls weren't only the factor that influenced the rate of abortion and teen pregnancy. The availability and convenient accessibility of birth controls also played a major role.
"As a society, we want to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion rates. This study has demonstrated that having access to no-cost contraception helps us get to that goal," said Alina Salganicoff, director of women's health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation said in an official statement.
"It's just an amazing improvement," Dr. James T. Breeden, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said of the results. "I would think if you were against abortions, you would be 100 percent for contraception access."
Voicing a different opinion, Jeanne Monahan of the conservative Family Research Council suggested contraceptive use can encourage riskier sexual behavior.
"Additionally, one might conclude that the Obama administration's contraception mandate may ultimately cause more unplanned pregnancies since it mandates that all health plans cover contraceptives, including those that the study's authors claim are less effective," Monahan said.
