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

Abstract #116489

Alissa Perrucci, PhD¹, Maryjane Puffer, BSN, MPA², and Annette L. Amey, PhD². (1) California Family Health Council, 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 110, Berkeley, CA 94710-2554, (2) Provider Services, California Family Health Council, Inc., 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 110, Berkeley, CA 94710, 213-386-5614, ameya@cfhc.org

Background: There has been little focus on male reproductive health for men over 25. The few studies available indicate that only 14% of men aged 15 to 49 make a sexual or reproductive health visit annually and those most at risk for STDs and unintended pregnancy are young men.

Objective: The California Family Health Council funded nine programs throughout California for an 18-month period during 2003-2004 to 1) provide comprehensive reproductive health programs for men including education, information and clinical services; 2) increase access to these services for hard-to-reach, high-risk populations such as migrant workers, substance abusing populations, and low-income men; 3) assess the funded programs and develop a best practices male services model for replication. Reason for visit, person or source of information most influential in motivating the decision to seek care, perceptions of quality and access, and effective outreach strategies are examined.

Results: Service gaps remain significant but male client visits are increasing at Title X clinics in California. AGI national data indicates from 2002 indicate 4% of clients at Title X clinics are males. At California Title X clinics, 8% of clients were males and within the Males Services Program clinic sites, 12% were males in 2002. Surveys demonstrated increased knowledge of male reproductive health issues. The programs exceeded the goals set for the number of men seen for medical services and for outreach activity.

Conclusions: Clinics programs focused on outreach and education and delivery of medical services, including primary care, have been especially effective.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the two most effective outreach activities resulting in increased access to reproductive health services for males over 25 in California Title X clinics.
• Identify three reasons why men visit reproductive clinics and two reasons they list as the most influential factors in deciding to visit a clinic.

Keywords: Male Reproductive Health, Access to Health Care

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