The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD-HA) in coordination with Defense Health Agency (DHA) sponsored this survey.
The purpose of this study is to assess the reproductive health of active duty female service members. The survey will provide the Department of Defense (DOD) with current data on health issues that may impact their readiness and that will inform policies and programs designed to improve the well-being of female service members.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Endorsement Letter
Key Findings
- Just over 60 percent of DOD active duty service women (and just over half of Coast Guard ADSW) indicated that they received an appointment with a primary care physician within one week, and almost three-quarters of both DOD and Coast Guard active duty service women indicated that they received an appointment with an OBGYN within 28 days, per TRICARE guidelines.
- Of the 21 percent of DOD active duty service women who had experienced a urinary tract or vaginal infection during a deployment in the two years prior to the survey, 64 percent indicated that it always or sometimes interfered with their performance or job duties. For active duty service women in the Coast Guard, 12 reported an infection, and over three-quarters said that it always or sometimes interfered with their job.
- Roughly 60 percent of both DOD and Coast Guard active duty service women reported any current contraceptive use. Approximately three in ten were currently using a highly effective form of contraception.
- Approximately one in five ADSW reported being unable to access their preferred form of birth control through the Military Health System (MHS) at some point since joining the military.
- Among active duty service women who deployed within the past 24 months, a minority reported receiving any contraceptive counseling from an MHS provider prior to deployment: 18 percent of DOD active duty service women and 9 percent of Coast Guard active duty service women.
- Just over 16 percent of DOD active duty service women and 13 percent of Coast Guard active duty service women were pregnant in the one-year period covered by the survey. The unintended pregnancy rate was 5.9 percent.
- Half of DOD active duty service women (and 43 percent of ADSW in the Coast Guard) who had been pregnant in the year prior to the survey reported depression during or after the pregnancy.
- Fifteen percent of DOD active duty service women and 11 percent of Coast Guard ADSW were unable to conceive after 12 months of trying, a common definition of self-reported infertility. Twelve percent of DOD active duty service women (and 8 percent of Coast Guard active duty service women) reported an unmet need for fertility services since joining the military.
To learn more, visit the RAND Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the 2020 DoD Women's Reproductive Health Survey for Active Duty Service Members.
Q2:
Will my answers be kept private?
A:
Yes. As noted earlier, this survey is confidential. This means that RAND and Westat will not give DOD information about who participated in the study, or provide your responses to them in a way that can identify you. DOD has agreed to this condition to protect your privacy.
Q4:
What do I do if I experience any discomfort or distress from filling out the survey?
A:
Some questions on the survey are sensitive in nature and it is possible that you may feel discomfort in answering one or more of these items. If you feel distressed, we encourage you to contact your unit’s chaplain or a mental health professional. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) immediately. Additional resources can be found in the “HELP” section (hyperlink to HELP).
Q5:
Do I have to take the survey?
A:
The survey is entirely voluntary. If you choose to take the survey, you may skip any question or stop at any time.
Q6:
Did I already answer these questions in earlier DOD surveys?
A:
This is the first time in nearly 30 years that a DOD-wide study of only female service members’ experiences has been completed. Some service members may have seen some of these questions on other surveys in the past. But because those studies were of limited groups of women, and because of confidentiality protections, that information cannot be used to provide a complete picture of service women’s experiences, reproductive health and well-being.
Q11:
Who is doing this study?
A:
The Department of Defense (DOD) asked the RAND Corporation to conduct an independent, objective assessment of female service members’ reproductive health, well-being, and experiences in the military.
Q13:
Who is Westat?
A:
Westat is an internationally known research and statistical survey organization. Westat manages the technical aspects of the web survey operations and can help you with any computer or technical problems. For more information about Westat see: https://www.westat.com/
Q14:
Why did you pick me?
A:
A random sample of active duty female service members below the level of flag officer (i.e., Admiral/General) in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, and all active duty women (below the level of flag officer) in the Coast Guard were invited to participate.
Q15:
How did you get my name?
A:
We obtained your name and basic demographic information (e.g., service branch, pay grade, age, education level) from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), which maintains DOD personnel records. Because we are doing an official, approved DOD survey, DMDC was authorized to give us this information. Only study staff will be able to link your survey responses to your contact information, not DOD or anyone else.
Q16:
How will the survey findings be used?
A:
Results will be used by DOD to improve policies and programs to better support service women. RAND will report survey findings to DOD and the public in a way that does not identify individuals.
Q17:
Why should I participate?
A:
This is your chance to be heard on issues that directly affect the health, well-being, and experiences of women in the military. The survey results will help inform DOD of issues women in the military may face and help suggest ways to solve or prevent them and improve readiness.