Language-based acculturation is linked with reproductive autonomy among Oregon Mexican-origin Latinas.

OBJECTIVES: We test whether the level of acculturation is associated with reproductive autonomy among Mexican-origin Latinas in Oregon. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study that used validated reproductive autonomy and language-based acculturation scales and sociodemographic information. We compared maximum reproductive autonomy score, overall and for each subscale (decision-making, freedom from coercion, and communication), by acculturation group. We developed a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for age, education, and regular income source. RESULTS: Our sample included 434 respondents: 70.7% low, 26.7% bicultural, and 2.5% in the high acculturation group. A higher unadjusted proportion of women in the bicultural/high acculturation group than the low acculturation group had maximum reproductive autonomy scores (13.4% compared with 3.9%; p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, women in the high/bicultural acculturation group had significantly higher odds of reporting a maximum reproductive autonomy score (adjusted odds ratio = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.08-5.98). CONCLUSIONS: Language-based acculturation was positively associated with reproductive autonomy among a community-dwelling sample of Mexican-origin Latinas in Oregon.

Awareness of the public charge, confidence in knowledge, and the use of public healthcare programs among Mexican-origin Oregon Latino/as.

OBJECTIVE: We describe awareness about the modified "public charge" rule among Oregon's Mexican-origin Latino/a population and whether concerns about the rule influenced disenrollment from state-funded programs, which do not fall under the public charge. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults (ages 18-59) recruited at the Mexican consulate and living in the state of Oregon. Our outcomes were awareness (of the public charge, source of knowledge, and confidence in knowledge of the public charge) and disenrolling self or family members from state-funded public healthcare programs due to concerns about the rule. We described outcomes and used logistic regression and calculated adjusted probabilities to identify factors associated with awareness of the public charge. RESULTS: Of 498 Latino/a respondents, 48% reported awareness of the public charge. Among those who knew about the public charge, 14.6% had disenrolled themselves or family members from public healthcare programs and 12.1% were hesitant to seek care due to concerns about the public charge. Younger respondents had a lower adjusted probability of awareness of the public charge (18-24 years: 15.6% (95% CI 3.1-28.2); 30-39 years 54.9% (95% CI 47.7-62.0). Higher education was associated with a higher adjusted probability of awareness of the public charge; ability to speak English was not associated with awareness of the public charge. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals limited awareness about the public charge among Mexican-origin Oregon Latino/as. Outreach and advocacy are essential to ensure Latino/as know their rights to access available state-funded healthcare programs.