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Background: Most STD clinics offer only STD clinical services. However, STD visits offer an ideal opportunity to simultaneously provide initial family planning services (FPS). Using Title X funding, Denver Metro Health Clinic (DMHC) has provided initial FPS with STD prevention services with subsequent referral for ongoing medical care. FPS includes preconception counseling, pregnancy testing with options, contraceptive counseling, and provision of birth control methods.
Objectives: To measure utilization of FPS among STD clients seen at the DMHC and identify strategies that facilitate integrating FPS with STD services in STD clinics.
Methods: Retrospective chart review, clinic observations, and qualitative interviews of clinic staff.
Results: Between 1/06-12/08, 23,970 clients eligible for FPS were seen (39% female and 61% male). Among those eligible, 44% received FPS, with more males (45.6%) provided FPS than females (43.1%)(p<0.01). Each year, the proportion of eligible patients receiving FPS increased (2006: 36.8%, 2007: 44.4%, 2008: 50.8%; p<0.01). The most common methods provided for women were pills (27%) and/or condoms (53%). Men mostly used condoms (74%) and/or relied on female methods (24%). Staff reported that they value the ability to provide these complementary services. Efficient staffing plans and streamlined clinic flow give staff the time to add FPS in a busy clinic. Interviews and observations reveal a need to further integrate the FPS and STD electronic medical records to support improved efficiency.
Conclusions: Integration of FPS with STD services is feasible in an STD clinic. Thoughtful and innovative staffing plans, clinic flow systems, and use of an integrated medical record facilitate providing FPS with STD clinical services.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research: Combining pregnancy and STD prevention activities within a single clinic visit using an integrated charting system that identifies a patient’s need for FPS within the context of STD clinical services offers an approach for addressing the sexual health of our clients.