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281607
An evaluation of a school based-health center reproductive health education program
The program provides confidential one-on-one education to students around reproductive health. The health education specialists (HES) case-manage students to determine if contraception was obtained, level of satisfaction with method and if the method is used correctly and consistently. Students are prohibited from obtaining contraception at SBHCs.
Results: Overall, 2,680 students received services from the HEP during the 2011-2012 school year. The average student was 15, female, and Hispanic. A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing pre-post survey data. Data show that students' knowledge increased, as did comfort levels with birth control use. About two-thirds of those referred for contraception obtained a method. Use of more effective birth control methods increased among sexually active students including more use of Depo-Provera, implants, pills, rings, the patch, and IUDs. The use of IUDs was double the Colorado average among teens and the use of implants was almost three times higher. There was also a significant decrease over time in students reporting no method use.
Conclusion: The HEP model integrated into a SBHC is an effective method to assist teens in obtaining contraception. The success of the program is likely due to the evidence-based curriculum and its accessibility to students in a trusted environment. Policy-makers and health professionals should work together to expand this integrated model in SBHCs and Community Health Clinics.
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Assess the use of highly trained reproductive health educators on the utilization and satisfaction of teen contraceptive use in the setting of a school-based health center.
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Supervisor of the Reproductive Health Education Program for three and half years. In this role, I am responsible for creating and diseminating the data collection tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
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.