Increasing Teen Male Access to Reprodctive Health Services: Building capacity through systems change

Recent research indicates that adolescent males remain underserved. California 2010 Title X user data confirms this. If we are to meet Healthy People 2020 family planning objectives concerning sexually active males 15 to 19 years, agencies need to rethink institutional change to effectively increase access to services, screening and education.

Better service to young males requires institutional changes in clinic policy and practice specifically designed to reach young males. Man Up an innovative school-based program at Lincoln High School clinic, operated by St John's Well Child in Los Angeles, CA, is increasing access to reproductive health services among male students ages 14-18 years. Changes in clinic practice have led to significant increase in access for young males including services focused on protection, prevention, responsibility and communication.

The California Family Health Council analyzed the clinic's patient visit data and STD screening rates from 2007 to 2010. Man Up provided evaluation results on objectives and outcome measures and findings from student and parent pre/post tests and surveys.

Working with a 2007 baseline data of 85 male visits, clinic visits increased from 419 (2008) to 912 (2010). The number of clients screened for STDs increased from 0 (2008) to 652 (2010). Attendance in outreach and education activities increased from 0 (2008) to 1,956 (2010).

Results of the program show that system changes affecting policy and practice, fast tracking student appointments, expanding clinic hours and hiring male staff led the program to increases in students using family planning services, outreach and engaging parents.