“I’M SCARED TO COME OUT OF MY SHELL”: CONTRACEPTIVE CARE FOR MIGRANTS IN ST. LOUIS
Presenter(s)
Julie Deleger
Faculty research mentor
Dr. Rebecca Lester
Presentation session
A - 9:00AM-10:00AM (Oral Presentations 1)
Acknowledgments
Firstly, I would like to thank Professor Rebecca Lester, my thesis and major advisor, and Professor Bret Gustafson, my thesis seminar coordinator, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this project. Additionally, thank you to my readers, Professor Geoff Childs and Professor Eliza Williamson, for taking the time to review my thesis and provide me with invaluable advice. I would also like to thank my family, Papa, Maman, Elliot, and Maddie, for being my constant cheerleaders, inspiring me to put my best foot forward, and keeping the family groupchat alive with dog pictures. Special thanks to Maddie for being the hardest working power nap companion I could ask for. Lastly, thank you to my 37 roommates—Caro, Amee, and Bianca—for knowing when to make me UP dumplings with peanut sauce during my writing grinds. This thesis could not have been completed without all your help, so thank you!\
Abstract or Description
This thesis established that migrants in St. Louis face a unique combination individual, interpersonal, and institutional barriers when accessing contraceptive care. These dynamics were examined using the social ecological model (SEM), which provided a valuable framework for understanding the multi-layer challenges at play. The research methodology involves a combination of ethnographic research, based on in-depth interviews and online surveys, as well as critical literature reviews. The data collected was then analyzed thematically to identify patterns and trends.
Chapter 1 offers insight into the factors influencing decision-making for the St. Louis migrant population. Chapter 2 of the thesis explores individual-level barriers to accessing contraceptive care, such as personal and cultural beliefs and limited knowledge about available resources. Chapter 3 delves into interpersonal-level barriers, highlighting the critical role of social support and examining the impact of the public charge clause and its associated rumors. Chapter 4 focuses on institutional-level barriers, including financial constraints and insurance complexities, language barriers, and medical misinformation. Chapter 5 outlines the expressed needs of migrants and potential measures that could be adopted to improve access to care, including enhanced resource access and information, reduced fear, and minimized financial strain.
The study's findings contribute to a more comprehensive analysis of the challenges shaped by multiple overlapping factors, as analyzed through the lens of the social ecological model. This insight can work to better inform interventions geared towards improved contraceptive care access for the migrant population of St. Louis.