Clinic & Community Outreach: The PPFA Perspective

Background:  About 19 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur each year in the U.S., almost half of which are among youth (ages 15-24). Lack of information, misconceptions and stigma prevent many from getting tested.  To promote diagnosis and treatment of STDs, it is critical to destigmatize and normalize conversations around STD testing.

Program background:  In April 2009, MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), as part of its public information partnership, worked with CDC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and other partners nationwide, to launch the GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign. For its second year of implementation (launched April 2010), GYT adopted a fresh focus and expanded its tools, outreach, and partner base.

Evaluation Methods and Results:  This presentation will outline how Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) mobilized its clinic affiliates, volunteers and other partners to expand the GYT message and promote STD testing among youth across the country. In April 2009, Planned Parenthood health centers hosted 450 educational and outreach events and generated 130 earned media reports. Reports from 85 Planned Parenthood affiliates across the nation revealed a 36% increase in STD testing among men and an 18% increase in testing among women in April 2009, compared to April 2008. We will discuss evaluation efforts to track campaign success in 2010, including patient intake surveys, and the monitoring of STD test and positivity rates during the month of April 2010.  Finally, we will address challenges encountered during the implementation and evaluation processes, lessons learned, and improvements made between 2009 and 2010.

Conclusions:  The GYT campaign has proven its success through increases in STD testing at participating clinics during the promotion period, and on-the-ground efforts to mobilize youth.

Implications for research and/or practice: The GYT campaign may serve as a model for the potential successes of public-private partnerships. It offers new, innovative and creative ways for mobilizing youth for the promotion of sexual health.