Use of reproductive health services among young men, 1995

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 2000-09, Vol.27 (3), p.186-194
• Main Authors: Porter, Laura E, Ku, Leighton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - diagnosis; Adolescent; Adolescent boys; Adolescent Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent Health Services - utilization; Adolescents; Adult; AIDS; Biological and medical sciences; Family Planning Services - statistics & numerical data; Family Planning Services - utilization; Health Care Services; Health Care Utilization; Health services; Humans; Male; Males; Medical sciences; Multivariate Analysis; National surveys; Patient Education as Topic - statistics & numerical data; Physical Examination - statistics & numerical data; Population; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Reproductive health; Reproductive health services; Sexual Reproduction; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - diagnosis; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Tests; United States; United States of America; USA; Use; Venereal Diseases
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/S1054-139X(00)00118-X

Purpose: To analyze the extent to which teenage males receive preventive reproductive health services and identify demographic and health factors associated with their receipt. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate analyses of nationally representative data from the 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Males were conducted using logistic regression to determine which factors predicted whether teenagers had a physical examination and whether they discussed reproductive health topics with a medical professional, had a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test, or had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test. Results: Although 71% of males aged 15–19 years received a physical examination in the past year, only 39% of them received any of the three reproductive health services. Less than one-third of all young men discussed reproductive health with their doctor or nurse. Among sexually experienced males, one-sixth had an STD test and one-quarter an HIV test. In multivariate analysis, males who had a physical examination were more likely to have an STD or HIV test, but were no more likely to discuss reproductive health topics. Minority and low-income youth were more likely to receive these reproductive health services, as were young men with multiple sex partners and those with health problems. Conclusions: In general, the proportion of teenage men receiving reproductive health services is low, although levels are higher among minority youth and certain groups at risk. To reduce rates of teen pregnancy and STDs, physicians and nurses need to incorporate reproductive health care into routine health services for teenage males, as well as females.