Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113536

Debra Risisky, MEd, School of Public Health - Maternal & Child Health, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 7400, 4th Floor Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, 919-414-1177, risisky@email.unc.edu

The purpose of this study is to explore knowledge and opinions of Title X family planning providers regarding counseling minors on sexually sensitive matters. Specific topics to be examined include nurses': perceptions regarding their ability to counsel adolescents on sexually sensitive matters (e.g. sexual behavior and sexual coercion); knowledge about the state's sexual coercion counseling provision and mandatory reporting laws; and their opinions on the impact of this policy on adolescent health, and on their preferred counseling practice with minor clients. In 1998, new language addressing sexual coercion among minors was created for the Title X program; nurses correctly interpreted the change to mean a stronger emphasis on statutory rape discovery and reporting. This cross-sectional study will survey the approximately 500 North Carolina Title X (family planning) clinicians, the majority of whom are public health nurses. The study design employs Dillman's Tailored Design Method to enhance survey response rates. Each participant will receive a pre-letter, the survey mailing, and a follow-up postcard; those not returning the initial survey will receive a second copy in the mail. The questionnaire instrument was designed specifically for this study. Quantitative analysis methods include univariate, bivariate, and multivariate modeling, as well as factor analysis to examine both knowledge and counseling comfort level among the nurses. Qualitative analysis methods to find common themes among the open-ended questions will also be employed to capture opinions on mandatory reporting, confidentiality needed for working with young clients and the desired protocol for handling statutory rape cases among nurses. This study is significant as it will allow us to delve into nurses' opinions on their ability to meet the reproductive health needs of their adolescent clients, in order to protect their current and future health. Results will be useful in guiding future clinical training, as well as informing policy decisions regarding working with adolescent clients in the family planning clinic setting.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the conflict between mandatory reporting of statutory rape and the protection of a minor’s confidentiality in the family planning clinic.
• List two reasons to ensure access to services for young adolescent family planning clients; and
• Discuss two policy implications for health departments regarding family planning visits by young adolescent clients.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation