Reproductive Health Services Typically are Not Part of Male Teenagers' Routine Medical Care

Abstract

In a nationally representative sample of 15-19 year olds this study found that adolescent males in the US do not routinely receive reproductive health services such as counseling by a medical professional and testing for HIV or for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A total of 1652 adolescents in the sample were identified in the 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Males. The youths completed an interview and questionnaire concerning demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors. Overall 71% were noted to have undergone a physical examination in the past year but only 39% received any reproductive health services. Among those who were sexually active although 71% had undergone a physical only half had received reproductive health services. Moreover the survey revealed that Black teenagers had increased odds of receiving every type of reproductive health services. Based on the findings several recommendations to incorporate reproductive health education into the routine health services of all adolescents both male and female are cited.