Pediatric Subspecialists’ Practices and Attitudes Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare for Adolescent and Young Adult Women Prescribed Teratogenic Medications

Abstract

To evaluate pediatric subspecialists' practices and attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult women for whom they prescribe teratogens. We surveyed pediatric subspecialists at 1 tertiary care pediatric hospital. Items assessed attitudes and practices related to sexual and reproductive healthcare for adolescent and young adult women prescribed teratogens, and barriers and facilitators to sexual and reproductive healthcare provision. We used descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and logistic regression to analyze results. There were 200 subspecialists from 17 subspecialties who completed the survey; 77% reported prescribing teratogens to adolescent and young adult women and 18% reported caring for a patient who became pregnant while taking a teratogen. Overall, 99% indicated that it is important to address sexual and reproductive healthcare. Respondents endorsed confidence in sexual and reproductive healthcare skills, including contraceptive counseling (71%), although 29% never or rarely discuss sexual and reproductive healthcare, and one-third never speak privately to this population. Of providers who discuss sexual and reproductive healthcare, 26% never assess reproductive intentions and 36% do so less often than annually. Nearly one-half never or rarely ask about sexual activity, and 68% never or rarely assess contraceptive knowledge. Barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare provision included available time (80%) and the presence of family or partners at clinic visits (61%). Facilitators included a quick referral process to sexual and reproductive healthcare providers (92%) and access to lists of local sexual and reproductive healthcare providers (90%). Pediatric subspecialists from a single institution report suboptimal sexual and reproductive healthcare provision for adolescent and young adult women prescribed teratogens. Identified barriers and facilitators may guide intervention development to improve sexual and reproductive healthcare for this population.