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THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women of reproductive age are often unaware of their hospital’s religious affiliation, according to a study recently published in Contraception<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Jocelyn M. Wascher, from the University of Chicago, and colleagues conducted a national survey of women ages 18 to 45 years to assess what percentage of U.S. women seeking care at Catholic hospitals are aware of their hospital’s religious affiliation.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that 16 percent of women reported a Catholic hospital as their primary hospital for reproductive care. Nearly two-thirds of respondents whose primary hospital was Catholic correctly identified this, versus 93 percent of women who correctly identified their hospital as non-Catholic. Of women who misidentified their Catholic hospital’s affiliation, two-thirds reported that their hospital was secular, with nearly half of these women feeling sure or very sure of their incorrect response. A religious-sounding name (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.80), respondent older age (aOR, 3.77), metropolitan residence (aOR, 3.35), and income over $100,000 (aOR, 4.95) were all factors associated with women correctly identifying Catholic hospitals.<\/p>\n
“Efforts are needed to increase hospital transparency and patient awareness of the implications that arise when health care is restricted by religion,” the authors write.<\/p>\n
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