Integrated Community Strategies for Linking Youth to Adolescent Reproductive Health Services: A Case Study

Abstract Purpose This article describes the development and promotion of a full-service adolescent health center at a local health department intended to increase teen access to contraceptive and reproductive health care. This work was conducted as part of a multicomponent, community-based teen preg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2017-03, Vol.60 (3), p.S45-S50
Main Authors: Sotolongo, Joy, M.S, House, L. Duane, Ph.D, Swanson, Sally, M.S.P.H., M.S.W, Davis, Sarah E.H., M.P.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to health care
Adolescent
Adolescent reproductive health
Adult
Clients
Clinical medicine
Community Health Services - methods
Community organizations
Contraceptives
Ethnic Groups
Family planning services
Female
First year
Health care access
Health facilities
Health promotion
Health services
Humans
Multicomponent community-based teen pregnancy prevention initiatives
North Carolina
Partnerships
Pediatrics
Pregnancy
Pregnancy in Adolescence - prevention & control
Prevention programs
Reproductive health
Reproductive Health Services
Technical assistance
Teenage pregnancy
Teenagers
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Purpose This article describes the development and promotion of a full-service adolescent health center at a local health department intended to increase teen access to contraceptive and reproductive health care. This work was conducted as part of a multicomponent, community-based teen pregnancy prevention initiative in Gaston County, North Carolina. Methods To increase access to adolescent reproductive health services, we implemented multiple integrated strategies: (1) building community support for adolescent reproductive health services; (2) providing technical assistance to the health department in opening the Teen Wellness Center (TWC), a teen-centered, full-service clinic; (3) strengthening referral partnerships between community organizations and clinical services; and (4) educating teens on how to access reproductive health services. Data were collected to examine the change in the number of adolescent reproductive health clients after the opening of the TWC. Results In the first year, the TWC was opened, 1,675 adolescent clients received reproductive health services, for a 12.5% increase compared with the prior year. The number of adolescent clients who received more than one type of reproductive health services (e.g., wellness visit and family planning services) increased by 133%. The number of adolescent clients who received family planning services increased by 3.8%. Conclusions The project achieved an increase in adolescent reproductive health clients. Establishment of a teen-centered, full-service clinic and working with youth-serving agencies to increase knowledge of the clinic's services are promising approaches to increasing teen access to reproductive health care.
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.11.026