Family planning centers in France: health resource centers for adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Family planning centres can play a more extensive role than simple reproductive health, in particular for adolescents and young adults. They can become true health and counseling centres. In France, state supported family planning centres were officially created in 1972; they had been preceded by initiatives developed by non-profit associations. The centres have both educational and medical functions, in the areas of contraception and fight against sterility; since 1990 they have also integrated STD (sexually transmitted diseases) prevention and treatment into their mandates. Family planning centres offer free consultations to adolescent minors, without requiring adult authorization. Overall, young people under the age of 20 account for 25 to 40% of the family planning centre clientele, although they represent only 16% of the potential user population. Females are more likely to frequent the centres than males: one young women in 10 under 20 consults per year, as opposed to only one young man in 400. This is the case for 3 centres in the north of France, which were the objects of the study presented here. In the centres participating in the study, 80% of the clientele were under 20, with the vast majority being under 128 years of age. The availability of contraceptive devices has evidently reduced the reasons for frequenting the centres. As 1 youth in 4 is not yet sexually active however, the preventive role for these centres is obvious and well recognised by the young people. The study indicated that one adolescent among 17 frequents the centres for either health problems or counseling not necessarily having to do with sexuality; some go merely to find someone to talk to. Reasons for these choices most often cited are the assurance of confidentiality and lack of fees. The availability of counsellors, the possibility to consult alone or in a group the possibility to consult without an appointment, the quality of the reception, and the central location of the centres were also cited as important. What the young people appreciated in the family planning centres is exactly what they seek in general health service centres. It is not surprising, therefore, that they use the family planning centres as primary care structures.