A comparison of responses to adolescent-oriented and traditional contraceptive programs
Philliber, S.G.; Namerow, P.B.
Journal of Ambulatory Care Management 6(2): 32-42
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0148-9917 PMID: 10259516 DOI: 10.1097/00004479-198305000-00007Document Number: 388132
Compares characteristics of teenage patients attracted to a traditional family planning clinic and an adolescent oriented clinic, and studies the success of each in promoting contraceptive use. Data were collected from 2 clinics operating in the same physical site in an urban hospital. The traditional family planning clinic (Day Clinic) serves both teenage and older women. The Young Adult Clinic (YAC) serves only patients 21 or younger and operates 2 evenings a week. The 2 clinics have an overlapping staff and medical services are identical in each, except that patients of the YAC are offered counseling, and admission to the clinic is simplified. The data from each clinic covers 2 years. Results show that the most important difference between the clinics is that the YAC attracts 3 1/2 times as many teens as the Day Clinic. Different background characteristics of the patients account for differences in contraceptive method utilization, revisit patterns, and pregnancy rates within the 2 clinics, rather than clinic differences. YAC patients are likely to be younger, and less likely to have been pregnant before. Thus, the YAC offers more of an opportunity for primary prevention of pregnancy. The authors concluded that the major benefit of offering an adolescent only evening clinic lies in its ability to attract young women who might not otherwise receive services.