The role of school-based health centers in providing long-active reversible contraceptive care to adolescents in New York City

• Published in: Sexual & reproductive healthcare 2024-06, Vol.40, p.100972-100972, Article 100972
• Main Authors: Groth, Rachel, Gold, Melanie A., Maier, Malia C., Garth, Janet R., Levy, Ryan A., Fan, Weijia, Garbers, Samantha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Contraceptive implant; Intrauterine device; Long-acting reversible contraception; School-based health
• ISSN: 1877-5756; 1877-5764
• DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100972

•Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) access is essential for adolescents.•School-based health centers (SBHCs) bridge gaps in access to health care for youth.•We evaluate provision of LARCs (intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants) in SBHCs.•Six-month LARC continuation rate was 79.3 % and was similar for implants and IUDs.•SBHCs improve health care access when other health care systems are disrupted. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are effective contraceptive methods for adolescents. This study describes the initiation and continuation of LARC care to adolescents at school-based health centers (SBHCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants received contraceptive care in New York City SBHCs from April 2021–June 2022. LARC initiation, LARC discontinuation, and total contraceptive visits were measured monthly. During the study period, the SBHCs provided 1,303 contraceptive visits, including 77 LARC initiations. Among LARC initiations, six-month continuation probability was 79.3 % (95 %CI: 69.0–91.1). SBHCs play an important role in providing adolescents contraceptive services, particularly LARC care, when other health care systems are disrupted.