Abstract: This study examines how service need and utilization relate to specific outcome variables including use of contraception, number of pregnancies and lifetime occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data were collected from 108 mothers aged 16-18 years in a national study on teen parenting who were clients of a community-based organization, utilizing a common survey instrument, and site-specific items.
Basic chi-square analyses were used initially to investigate the relationships between perception of service need and useage and the outcome variables. In terms of family planning (FP), 33% of those using no form of contraception during their last sexual intercourse felt that they did not need FP services; 29% of those who had had an STD at some point in their life felt the same way; and 26% of those who had been pregnant more than once felt that they did not need FP services. The percentages were much lower for need for health services (21% for no contraception, 14% for STD, and 11% for multiple pregnancies). In terms of needs met or useage, only 27% of those who had not used a condom felt that their need for FP services had been met. Conversely 30% had utilized these services but did not feel that they needed them. Percentages for ulitilization of FP services were higher for STDs and pregnancies. Reported utilization overall was greater for health services than for FP services on these outcome variables. More inferential statistics will be used to investigate these relationships further
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants should be able to: 1) gain an understanding of how service need and utilization relate to use of contraception, pregnancies, STD's, etc. 2) identify differences in services utilization of health versus family planning services; and 3) appreciate the implications of findings for program design and policy
Keywords: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Service Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.