Using Reproductive Health as a Strategy to Engage Youth in Preventive Care

Abstract

Purpose: This research examined differences in receipt of recommended preventive services by contraceptive use in adolescent and young adult (AYA) women.

Methods: Data are from a retrospective chart review of 408 AYA women who received sexual health risk reduction counseling in an urban academic AYA clinic. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between contraception use and receipt of care.

Results: AYA women aged 12-24 years using hormonal contraception were more likely to receive recommended preventive care, including an annual preventive visit and sexually transmitted infection screening, compared with those using condoms or no contraception. Women using medium-acting reversible contraception were more likely to have an annual visit compared with those not using hormonal contraception.

Conclusions: AYA women using contraception are more likely to receive recommended preventive health services, suggesting reproductive health visits may be used to promote engagement around preventive care.

Keywords: Adolescent women; Contraception use; Primary care; Reproductive health; Young adults.