Sexually Transmitted Infection Services and Condom Promotion at Georgia Pregnancy Resource Centers: A Web Content Analysis

Background: Pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) are non-profit organizations that have a primary mission of promoting childbirth among pregnant women and offer, at a minimum, pregnancy testing and counseling. In 2016, Georgia passed legislation to publically fund qualifying PRCs. National recommendations for quality family planning services advise providers of pregnancy testing and counseling to offer sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, recommend condom use for those at risk for STIs, and make condoms easily and inexpensively available. This study analyzed Georgia PRC websites to describe the extent to which PRCs offer STI testing and treatment services and promote condom use.

Methods: In April 2016, Georgia PRCs (n=94) were identified via electronic directories. Sixty-four accessible websites for 78 (83%) PRCs were included and reviewed. Websites were uploaded into qualitative data analysis software and coded by two independent evaluators.

Results: Only 18.8% (n=12) of websites indicated the PRCs offered STI testing.  An additional 6.3% (n=4) indicated provision of STI testing referrals. Only 6.3% (n=4) indicated provision of STI treatment. No website indicated availability of condoms at PRCs. Just 21.9% (n=14) of websites provided information about condoms. Of these, 57.1% (n=8) included explicit statements undermining confidence in condom effectiveness (e.g., “condoms are not as effective as you might think”) or false statements (e.g., “condoms can only reduce the chance of infection with STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea”).

Conclusions:  Despite legislation to publically fund Georgia PRCs, this study suggests most do not meet national standards for providing pregnancy testing and counseling, potentially compromising women’s health and undermining public health goals of increasing condom use and reducing HIV/STIs rates. Individuals seeking family planning services should be informed about the limitations of Georgia PRC services and have alternatives for accessible, quality, comprehensive care. The accuracy of information and quality of services offered by PRCs should be further evaluated.