Abstract
BackgroundThe Title X family planning program provides affordable access to a range of sexual and reproductive health services, with a priority for low-income people. The disproportionate burden of unintended pregnancy, breast and cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases among minority groups, teens, and young adults in the US underscore the need for affordable access to such services. However, increased access to sexual and reproductive health services, resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) create questions regarding the continued need for this program.MethodsA study was conducted to assess clients’ perceptions of Title X-funded family planning clinics and their preferences for these clinics for a range of sexual and reproductive health services. An anonymous, self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey was administered to 696 clients who received services from one of eight Title X-funded family planning clinics in Northeast Ohio.ResultsThe majority of participants stated very positive perceptions of the Title X-funded clinics; that they “Always” go to the Title X-funded clinic for birth control, STD/HIV testing, and pregnancy testing; and that the Title X-funded clinic was their regular source of health care. Females were more likely than males to prefer the Title X clinic for birth control, physical exams, pregnancy testing, and health information and more teens under the age of 18 preferred to use the Title X clinic for STD/HIV testing, physical exams, pregnancy testing, and health information.ConclusionsFindings indicate that these Title X-funded family planning clinics successfully reached populations in need of sexual and reproductive health services and suggest that these facilities can help play an important role in reducing disparities even after full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. However, more research is needed to fully quantify the need and value of Title X-funded family planning clinics and its relation to the changing health care environment in the US.
Highlights
The Title X family planning program provides affordable access to a range of sexual and reproductive health services, with a priority for low-income people
Need for Title X-funded family planning clinics The majority of clients who participated in the research reported very favorable perceptions of Title X-funded family planning clinics and strong preferences for receiving sexual and reproductive health services at these facilities
Given that the majority of these clients are lowincome, these findings suggest that these Title X-funded family planning clinics are uniquely positioned to provide sexual and reproductive health services to populations at highest risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Summary
The Title X family planning program provides affordable access to a range of sexual and reproductive health services, with a priority for low-income people. The disproportionate burden of unintended pregnancy, breast and cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases among minority groups, teens, and young adults in the US underscore the need for affordable access to such services. Planning is comprised of a wide array of sexual and reproductive health services including contraceptive education and counseling; pregnancy testing and counseling; breast and cervical cancer screening; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing; screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); and other patient education and referrals [2]. Need for sexual and reproductive health services In 2006, nearly half (46%) of all pregnancies were unintended and these rates were highest among women 20–24 years of age, women with the fewest years of educational attainment, poor or low-income women, and Black women [3]. Researchers have pointed to differences in socioeconomic status as another driver of cancer death rates among different racial/ethnic groups [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
