Postpartum contraception usage in immigrants compared with non-immigrants in Buffalo, NY

•Immigrant populations in Buffalo, NY were less likely to use postpartum contraception.•Barrier contraception was more popular in immigrants than non-immigrants postpartum.•Individualized reproductive healthcare is needed in cities with diverse patient populations. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of postpartum contraception use in immigrant populations in Buffalo, NY compared with non-immigrant populations. The study also explores rates of specific birth control selection amongst those who did choose to employ postpartum contraception. A retrospective chart review was conducted comparing the rate of postpartum contraceptive use in 132 immigrant individuals with that of 134 non-immigrant individuals, as measured by the documented intent or refusal to initiate any contraceptive method within the first three months postpartum. Patients were from clinics affiliated with the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (WCHOB) who delivered during the years 2015–2016. The immigrant patients were chosen from the top ten immigrant countries of origin who delivered at WCHOB at the time. After controlling for factors of maternal age, gestational age at time of delivery, and gravidity and parity, the immigrant group was more likely to decline postpartum contraception in the first three months postpartum compared with the non-immigrant group (25.8% vs 6.7%, p