An evaluation of initiatives to improve family planning use by African-American adolescents

Teen pregnancies in the United States have reached epidemic proportions, and consequently, efforts to promote family planning among adolescents have increased. At the Orleans Parish Family Planning Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana, adolescent-specific initiatives were implemented to improve understanding of family planning services and promote contraceptive use. Since 92% of the patients are African American, the study population was limited to this group. This study examines the efficacy of two initiatives (i.e., orientation sessions and 3-month booster visits conducted in adolescent-specific clinics) for improving initiation and continuation of family planning services among African-American adolescent women. Initiation of services was compared among those who attended the orientation session and those who did not attend. Continuation of services was determined by attendance of the annual visit for those who attended the 3-month follow-up visit and those who did not attend. Of 737 teens entering into the clinic, the mean age was 16 years, 95% were enrolled in school, 23% attended the orientation session, and 71% initiated services. Of the 507 who initiated services and who underwent follow-up for at least 12 months, 29% attended the 3-month follow-up visit and 32% attended an annual visit. Attendance of the orientation session was associated with initiation of services and attendance of the 3-month booster visits was associated with attendance of the annual visit in multivariate logistic regression. Simple and cost-effective techniques such as orientation sessions and follow-up visits conducted in adolescent clinics can improve initiation of family planning and compliance among adolescents.