Cost-related barriers to sexual and reproductive health care: Results from a longitudinal qualitative study in Arizona

Abstract

Financial barriers can inhibit reproductive autonomy. This study examines the role of financial barriers on Arizona individuals' experiences accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. We recruited individuals who may have experienced barriers when accessing SRH care in 2019 to participate in three interviews at six-to-nine-month intervals beginning in the summer of 2020. Our analyses focused on respondent strategies to mitigate cost barriers, at times linked to the changing family planning policy landscape or the role of insurance coverage in accessing SRH care. Respondents’ experiences of care seeking over time demonstrated that respondents often postpone or forgo SRH care when experiencing cost barriers, and respondents also switch care sites to access affordable care despite sometimes not having preferred providers or care sites as a result. Our findings highlight how burdensome or surprising costs can have enduring effects on whether, when, and where to seek future care.