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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth Heavey, MSN, PhD(c)¹, Kirsten Moysich, PhD¹, Andrew Hyland, PhD¹, Charlotte Druschel, PhD², and Mike Sill, PhD¹. (1) School of Public Health- Department of Epidemiology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214-8001, 585-395-5308, eheavey@brockport.edu, (2) School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, East Campus 160, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 121443456

Objective: To examine racial disparities in contraceptive choice and usage among female adolescents from low socioeconomic backgrounds before and after an appointment for reproductive health care at a community based, state-funded, family planning clinic.

Methods: This study analyzed 4,237 surveys collected over a five year period of time. Logistic regression was utilized to examine variables associated with the following main questions. (1) The decision to use or not use contraception (2) The decision to use barrier versus hormonal contraception (3) The decision to use injectable versus oral hormonal contraception.

Results: Highlights from the results of this study include a change in young adolescent women (under 18) from being less likely to be using contraception to being more likely to use contraception after the clinic visit and counseling session. In addition, racial disparities which existed in terms of barrier versus hormonal contraception were eliminated by the office visit. Further, the effect of insurance on the decision to use barrier versus hormonal methods was eliminated by the free services available. This study clearly shows that eliminating financial barriers and racial disparities has a positive impact on contraception use and even increases the likelihood of adolescents selecting more effective means of contraception.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to

• Identify existing racial disparities in adolescent reproductive decision-making in low socioeconomic environments.
• Articulate three factors which impact adolescent reproductive decision-making in a low socioeconomic environment.
• Describe three changes in adolescent reproductive decision-making which occurred after a visit to a neighborhood based, state-funded family planning clinic.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered