Objective: Adolescent preventive health-seeking behaviors are reportedly low. As part of a larger study, this survey gives important information about adolescent experiences at their most recent health care visit, as well as about adolescent expectations of their providers. Methods: This data is taken from the 121 completed baseline surveys of a project aiming to increase health-seeking behaviors among adolescents. The survey addresses issues such as comfort with most recent visit, perceptions and expectations of preventive-health visits, role of parent in health-seeking, and self-efficacy of preventive health-seeking. Surveys were completed by ninth graders providing parental consent at a New York City Public High School. Results: We find that although adolescents have a high level of preventive health visits, the content of the visits is lacking. Over 75% of teens agree that topics such as sex and substance use should be addressed by providers, but only 30% report discussion of drugs, and 38% report discussion of sexuality. 27% report discussion of STDs, and less than 10% report discussion about birth control. Conclusions: This data illustrate the need for further discussion of a broader level of health issues at preventive health-seeking visits. Adolescents expect and want their providers to initiate discussion about these important topics. Providers need to be educated to expand their approach in their conversations with teen patients to include sexuality and substance use as part of a standard preventive health-seeking visit.
Learning Objectives: 1. To describe adolescent experiences at recent preventive health care visit, paying particular attention to communication initiated by providers or patients on a variety of health issues. 2. To explain adolescent expectations of preventive-health visits, including adolescent perceptions of the necessity of visits and topics that should be addressed by providers.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Providers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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