Oregon School-Based Health Centers and Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors Among Adolescents.
Melina Bersamin, Mallie J Paschall, Deborah A Fisher
PMID 28403665WHAT IT FOUND
11th graders at Oregon high schools with school-based health centers were more likely to report healthy sexual behavior and contraceptive use.
The link was stronger in schools with at least 50% of students receiving free or reduced price lunch.
Key findings
01Students at schools with a school-based health center were 23% more likely to report healthy sexual behavior than students at schools without one.
02Among students who had ever had sex, those at schools with a school-based health center were 31% more likely to report contraceptive use at last intercourse.
03Among students who had sex in the past three months, those at schools with health centers that prescribed and dispensed contraceptives were 77% more likely to report contraceptive use at last intercourse than those at schools with health centers that did not.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The data are cross-sectional, so the study cannot show that health centers caused healthier sexual behavior or contraceptive use. Students reported their own sexual behavior, which may be inaccurate or socially influenced. The study included only 11th graders in Oregon, so it may not apply to younger students or more diverse states. The study could not separate the effects of different health center services, such as condom provision versus full contraceptive prescribing and dispensing. Some students did not provide complete data, and schools with health centers differed in student demographics, so selection may affect results.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding or author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that school-based health centers caused healthier sexual behavior. The study is cross-sectional and uses self-reported behavior, so it shows associations, not proven effects.