A Statewide Profile of Frequent Users of School-Based Health Centers: Implications for Adolescent Health Care.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of care and service use among adolescent school-based health center (SBHC) users in New Mexico and contrast patterns and services between frequent and infrequent users.

METHODS: Medical claims/encounter data were analyzed from 59 SBHCs located in secondary schools in New Mexico during the 2011-2012 school year. We used Pearson's chi-square test to examine the differences between frequent (≥ 4 visits/year) and infrequent users in their patterns of SBHC care, and we conducted logistic regression to examine whether frequent use of the SBHC predicted receipt of behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; checkup; or acute care services.

RESULTS: Most of the 26,379 adolescent SBHC visits in New Mexico were for behavioral health (42.4%) and reproductive and sexual health (22.9%). Frequent users have greater odds of receiving a behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; and acute care visit than infrequent users (p < .001). American Indians, in particular, have higher odds of receiving behavioral health and checkup visits, compared with other races/ethnicities (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: SBHCs deliver core health care services to adolescents, including behavioral, reproductive, and checkup services, to high need populations. American-Indian youth, more than their peers, use SBHCs for behavioral health and checkups.

Publisher

American School Health Association

Publication Title

The Journal of school health

ISSN

1746-1561

Volume

86

Issue

4

First Page

250

Last Page

257

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