203611 Strategies to increase male utilization of family planning: Integrating family planning counseling in a community clinic setting

Monday, November 9, 2009

Darren Kaw, MPH , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Ryan Lagman, BA , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Kimler Gutierrez , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Rosario Hernandez, BA , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Shalini Vora, MPH , Pediatric and Women's Health, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Ma, BA , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Monica Molina, MPH , Community and Facilities Services, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc, Los Angeles, CA
  
Issues

Family planning (FP) programs typically focus on females, yet research indicates male involvement by and large leads to better reproductive health outcomes for both sexes. However, males traditionally utilize FP services less than women. One strategy to increase male utilization involves integrating FP services into existing male health care programs.

Description

Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc. (APHCV) is a Federally Qualified Health Center located near multiple ethnic enclaves in the Los Angeles area, including Thai-town and Koreatown. To increase male access to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) testing services, APHCV established a Men's Clinic every Monday from 5pm – 7pm. During Men's Clinic, patients receive free HIV and STI testing and counseling. APHCV has recently integrated family planning services with HIV/STI counseling services for all Men's Clinic patients. Barriers to utilization are reduced by opening the clinic after work hours, having minimal paperwork and allowing walk-ins. Patients are also able to see a provider by appointment for primary care services.

Lessons Learned

Few operational changes were necessary given the overlap of resources between FP and HIV/STI counseling. The utilization of FP counseling by men aged 25 and older increased by 20% in one year. Providing FP counseling to men who are utilizing HIV/STI services can expand the reach of FP to men who otherwise would not utilize it.

Recommendations

The effectiveness of integrated FP and HIV/STI services has been evaluated for international programs but not domestic ones. While these initial findings seem promising, further research should be conducted to see if integrated services work domestically.

Learning Objectives:
1. List three potential problems that arise from integrating family planning counseling with HIV/STI counseling and testing. 2. Identify three solutions to potential problems that arise from integrating family planning counseling with HIV/STI counseling and testing.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Male Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As Research Analyst, I have been involved with the agency's Title X project, specifically the portion dealing with older male (aged 25 or older) utilization of family planning services. One aspect of this includes the integration of family planning services with the agency's existing Men's Clinic, a sub-clinic focused on male health issues. I monitor client tracking information to ensure that program activities are meeting the goals and objectives for the project. I am familiar with the tools used to capture data related to the family planning services provided during Men's Clinic. I work daily with the Men's Clinic counselors on the Title X and HIV project, which gives me the background to understand the issues related to integrating those two services.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: What's gender got to do with health?
See more of: Population, Reproductive and Sexual Health