Provider Treatment and Sexual Health Outcomes for Black Women: Historical Context and Post-pandemic Access to Reproductive Resources.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 quarantine, the insufficient prioritization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) resources exacerbated health disparities experienced by young Black women in the post-pandemic period. The historical legacy of medical treatment of Black women persists within current systems of care. In this study, we use the biopsychosocial framework to investigate perceived healthcare treatment and barriers to accessing SRH resources for Black women. We aim to understand how perceived provider treatment impacts SRH experiences and which experiences were perceived as a barrier to accessing SRH resources. Using a cross-sectional design, Qualtrics Panel participants, between ages 18 and 29 years, who identify as Black/African American and female, and living in the USA responded to a sexual health questionnaire. Results from T-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression models indicate that perceptions of poor provider treatment are associated with poorer SRH experiences, with decreased odds of receiving a prescription for a birth control method (CI 0.913-0.978); receiving a check-up or medical test related to using birth control (CI 0.93-0.997); receiving counseling or information about birth control (CI 0.917-0.983); and asking a question about whether the participant wants to become pregnant in the next year (CI 0.900-0.97). Sexual health advocates should focus on marginalized groups accessing SRH resources. These groups experienced exacerbated sexual health disparities due to treatment delays during COVID-related quarantine orders. Social work and public health researchers should investigate how state and federal policies can prioritize equitable treatment for those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in a post-pandemic era.