“I'm taking control of my body and my sexuality with birth control”: Documenting the contraceptive experiences of unsheltered people capable of pregnancy

Women account for over one-third of the unhoused population in the U.S. (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023) and oftentimes experience barriers when seeking to manage their fertility while unhoused (Begun et al., 2019; Kennedy et al., 2014). Previous research examining contraceptive experiences while homeless has, for the most part, failed to account for the experiences of individuals who report less engagement with homeless services, such as those living in encampments and other unsheltered environments. Therefore, the present study sought to document the contraceptive experiences of unsheltered individuals capable of pregnancy. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 individuals capable of pregnancy residing in unsheltered locations to identify meaning ascribed to contraceptive access and use and linkages between reproductive health practices and feelings of empowerment. Findings offer novel contributions to the literature and have implications for future research and service delivery with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.