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  • Title: Community health nurses' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and involvement with adolescent contraceptive services.
    Author: Swenson I, Oakley D, Swanson J, Marcy S.
    Journal: Adolescence; 1991; 26(101):7-11. PubMed ID: 2048483.
    Abstract:
    A national sample of community health nurses were surveyed to assess their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and involvement with reproductive health services. Results indicated that slightly more than half of the nurses provided or administered contraceptive services to adolescents, although 73% worked in settings where contraceptive services were provided to adolescents. However, only 3.6% indicated that adolescents were their primary client population. The majority (64.3%) stated that they felt as prepared to work with adolescents as they did with adult clients. While 98% were aware that most adolescents are sexually active before seeking family planning services, a minority correctly answered questions about pregnancy and contraception among adolescents. Ninety-five percent agreed that contraceptives should be available to adolescents, and 90% agreed that parental consent should not be required for adolescents seeking contraceptive services. Yet only 21.5% were aware of the implications of the Adolescent Family Life Act. A national sample of 1,900 community health nurses was surveyed to learn of their knowledge, attitudes, and involvement with reproductive health services, especially where adolescent populations are concerned. Questionnaire response rate was 47.6%. While 73% worked where contraceptive services were available and provided to adolescents, approximately 1/2 of the nurses actually provided or administered such services. 3.6% stated that adolescents were their primary client population, with the majority indicating that they were as prepared to work with adolescents as with adults. Approximately 1/3, however, do not feel equally comfortable in service provision to adolescents. 98% were aware of the nature of adolescents' sexual activity prior to seeking family planning services, yet only a small percentage correctly answered questions regarding pregnancy and contraception in such populations. 95% felt that contraceptives should be available to adolescents, and 90% felt that parental consent should not be required for adolescents seeking contraceptive services. 21.5% were aware of the implications of the Adolescent Family Life Act designed to promote premarital chastity. Findings suggest the need for special attention placed upon educational programs preparing community health nurses to deal with reproductive health issues in adolescent populations. Counseling skills, clinical knowledge, knowledge of legislation, and the epidemiology of adolescent sexual activity, pregnancy, and contraceptive use should all be components of these education programs.
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