Work

What are the contraception access experiences of newcomer youth in Canada? Results of a qualitative investigation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives Despite contraception care being recognised as a basic human right, it remains out of reach for many youth in Canada. Our knowledge of youth experiences of contraception, particularly newcomer youth, who may encounter additional challenges, is limited. The ‘Ask Us’ study aims to address this gap by identifying the contraception access, experiences, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and needs of youth in Canada. This paper presents our analysis of 48 interviews with newcomer youth who participated in the ‘Ask Us’ study. Design A qualitative study guided by constructivist grounded theory. Setting National, Canada. Participants We conducted one-to-one qualitative interviews with youth aged 15 to 25 years residing in Canada. We defined newcomer youth as individuals who were born outside Canada or have a foreign-born parent. Our study involved youth research assistants who recruited participants and conducted and analysed interviews with youth. Results Our analysis identified that newcomer youth’s views towards contraception are influenced by abstinence-based early education and parents’ attitudes towards premarital sex. Their attitudes may shift over time with access to new information and encounters with peers from diverse backgrounds. However, the perceived judgement and shame associated with contraception use persist despite this shift and lead to newcomer youth seeking contraception options that require minimal interactions with healthcare providers. Learning from the lived experiences of peers helps newcomer youth assess the suitability of a contraception method. Newcomer youth trust peer learning and conducted self-directed research to validate their learning. Conclusions There is a need for resources that will provide newcomer youth with information about what it is like to obtain and use a particular contraception method and support their self-directed research on contraceptive options. Knowledge translation interventions may address the information gaps that we identified and empower newcomer youth to choose contraception methods that best fit their needs.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108350