Ethnic inequalities and contraception in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review

One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is SDG 3.7. Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting ethnic groups in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This review examines 23 years of evidence on contraceptive inequalities among these populations.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted covering the period from 2000 to 2023 across seven databases. A combination of natural language and MESH/DECS terms was used, focusing on ethnicity and contraception in LAC countries. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), 856 studies were identified. After title and abstract screening, 92 full texts were reviewed, and 33 studies were included that analyzed or compared contraceptive coverage based on ethnicity.

The countries with the highest output on this topic are Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador. More than half (22) relied on national representative surveys, with most focusing on women of reproductive age, while only five included adolescents. Eight studies analyzed Afro-descendant populations, and 27 studies included indigenous populations. Although some studies reported increases in contraceptive coverage over time, 85% identified lower usage rates or probabilities among ethnic minorities, with persistent gaps.

This review highlights contraceptive coverage gaps related to ethnicity in LAC, revealing enduring inequalities. As post-pandemic efforts aim to reduce disparities, countries with significant indigenous populations must prioritize evidence generation. Further research is needed in countries showing progress and among subgroups, such as adolescents or intra-country ethnic groups, to understand underlying causes and enhance contraceptive Access.