April 2019: Power Updates Edition
There are plenty of articles, publications, and stories published every month. In an effort to help you distinguish fact from fiction, save time in your already busy day, and share news you may not have otherwise seen, here are seven stories from the last month we thought you might find interesting:
Clinician and Staff Perceptions of Barriers to Providing Contraception in Primary Care
Closely spaced pregnancies (<18 months apart) increase the likelihood of preterm delivery and low birth weight. With nearly half of American mothers reporting their pregnancies as unplanned, this study looked at clinician-reported barriers to improving pregnancy spacing. It found patient education is one of the leading concerns, as well as availability of devices, scheduling issues, and resident supervision.
Health and Access to Care among Reproductive-Age Women by Sexual Orientation and Pregnancy Status
Disparities in health and access to care among sexual minority populations are well-documented. But we know much less about the health care needs of pregnant sexual minority women. This study focuses on this population and the stressors, discrimination, and stigma they may face before and during pregnancy.
For nearly 40 years, the US government has supported abstinence-only education and recently the Administration’s FY 2020 budget proposal suggested eliminating the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program. This study found that while funding for sexual risk avoidance education is associated with an increase in state adolescent birthrates, TPP funding is associated with a decrease in those rates.
The Sexual Health Needs of Adolescent Boys Involved in a Pregnancy
This study highlights the distinct needs of fathers age 14-17. The paper discusses their sexual health needs and relationship characteristics and recommends their inclusion in prevention programs.
Women’s Concerns About Future Birth Control Access
Using data from the 2018 Survey of Family Planning and Women's Lives, this paper analyzes women's concerns about future birth control access.
Sex Before Age 13 Among Males in the United States
Males are more likely than females to have their first sexual intercourse before age 13. This study found that rates of sexual activity for this group varies by race/ethnicity, location, and maternal educational level.
