10 July 2006 - New Study Reveals Barriers to Reproductive Health Care in US Latino Community
Los Angeles , CA, July 10, 2006 - New research presented at the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference(1) reveals barriers to good sexual and reproductive health among Latino couples in the US. These barriers include inadequate education, lack of insurance, limited access to health care and cultural barriers.(1) One consequence is that some Latina women resort to family planning without their partner's knowledge and feel the entire family planning process rests solely on them.(1) With 54 percent of Latino pregnancies unplanned, compared to 40 percent of white/non-Hispanic pregnancies(2) , there is a need to address the barriers to better reproductive health knowledge and practices. In addition, cultural factors such as upbringing, fear of being judged and machismo were identified in the research as discouraging Latino couples from communicating about sex and reproductive health issues.(1) "These findings present a call-to-action for those of us charged with providing educational resources to the members of the Latino community," said Rosa Maria Marquez, a lay health educator, or promotora, based in Los Angeles. "We have made headway in recent years on diabetes and HIV/AIDS awareness education, but there is still work to do in the area of reproductive health." The research also reveals that both Latino men and women hold misconceptions about hormonal methods of birth control and lack critical information about long-term contraceptive options. A 2005 survey revealed that 42 percent of women believe that female sterilization is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy,(3) but it is not (failure rate approximately five pregnancies per 1000 users). Nearly two-thirds of the women surveyed (all Latina) did not know that there is a form of birth control that is as effective or more effective than female sterilization.(3) The research reveals an educational opportunity, however, as Latino men and women desire more information tailored to their needs.(1) "The research reveals some myths and misconceptions about certain well-proven contraceptive methods, such as the IUC," said Diana Ramos, MD, a leading obstetrician and gynecologist and assistant clinical professor at University of Southern California. "Intrauterine contraceptives, such as Mirena®, offer women effective family planning without having to use daily birth control." Additional findings of the research include:(1) - Latinas who seek reproductive healthcare feel disregarded by healthcare professionals, particularly if the woman has limited English fluency. - The lack of Spanish-speaking healthcare professionals and materials are seen as barriers to routine sexual and reproductive health maintenance. - Perceptions between men and women vary regarding the amount and quality of their communication about sexual and reproductive health. - Latinos living in the US report ordering contraceptive products from their country of origin or asking others to bring them from these countries. The research marks NCLR's first-ever evaluation of reproductive health knowledge, perceptions and practices among US Latinos. Berlex supported the NCLR research as means to better understand the reproductive health concerns and needs of the growing US Latino population. "As a leader in women's health, Berlex recognizes the importance of identifying barriers to reproductive health in the fastest growing sector of the United States - the Latino community," said Don Atkinson, vice president and general manager of female healthcare for Berlex. "The research underscores the need for more culturally-sensitive information and greater community involvement of professionals as well as lay educators to counsel couples about their contraception options." The NCLR research paper detailing the findings, “Entre Parejas: An Exploration of Latinos' Perspectives Regarding Family-Planning and Contraception,” can be found at www.nclr.org . For more information about long-term contraception, visit www.mirena-us.com www.simplementemirena.com . Research Methodology Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted between November 2005 and May 2006 in New York, New York; Silver Spring, Maryland; Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Research sites were chosen to ensure a demographic mix of participants. A total of 157 individuals (112 women, 45 men) of Latino origin (first and second generation) between the ages of 18 and 49 participated in the focus group discussions. Focus group sessions were conducted in Spanish at local affiliates of the National Council of La Raza. Participants were provided a small stipend for their time. (1) "Entre Parejas: An Exploration of Latino's Perspectives Regarding Family-Planning and Contraception" National Council of La Raza Research Report, 2006. (2) Finer LB and Henshaw SK. Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy In the United States, 1994 and 2001, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 38(2):90-96. 2006. (3) International Communications Research (ICR) omnibus study conducted February 15-March 2, 2005 including 274 Hispanic and Latino women between the ages of 25 and 49 years in the United States. About Mirena® Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is an intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) that provides up to five years of birth control (or less if removed). It is 99.9% effective, is reversible and is as, or more, effective than surgical tubal ligation. Mirena is safe, estrogen-free and, upon removal, allows for a rapid return to fertility.(*) While only a woman and her doctor can determine whether Mirena is right for her, most women who have had at least one child are typically good candidates for Mirena. Women who are at risk for or have a history of ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory disease should not use Mirena. Common side effects may include missed menstrual periods or irregular bleeding or spotting for the first three to six months. Thereafter, most women will experience shorter, lighter periods. Some women may develop a cyst on their ovaries. Mirena does not protect against HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. (*) Studies show a woman's chances of getting pregnant after Mirena is removed are similar to women who had not been using any form of birth control. About Berlex Berlex, a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH; NYSE: SHR), is committed to addressing unmet medical needs through research and development in the areas of oncology, gastroenterology, women's health, diagnostics and neurology. Berlex also markets diagnostic imaging agents, innovative treatments in the areas of female health care and oncology, as well as specialized therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling diseases of the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Berlex has business operations in New Jersey, California and Washington. For more information, please visit www.berlex.com Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Berlex's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Berlex, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Berlex Contacts
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