Mi Plan

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Project Title

Mi Plan (LARC project)

Project Summary

Although rates of adolescent pregnancy are dropping nationwide, rates differ substantially by racial and ethnic group. In 2016, there were 20.3 births for every 1,000 adolescent females age 15-19 in the United States. However, Hispanic adolescent females ages 15-19 had a higher birth rate (31.9 births per 1,000 adolescent females) than black adolescent females (29.3) and white adolescent females (14.3) (HHS, 2016).

The Children’s Medical Practice (CMP) patient population is approximately 75% Latino with a teen pregnancy rate reflective of Baltimore city statistics. Of 203 females age 11-19 years seen at the CMP in 2011 (baseline sample), 58 (29%) became pregnant between 2010 and 2015.

We hypothesize that lack of access to effective contraception and low contraceptive knowledge contribute to the high rate of teen pregnancy in the clinic population. One proposed approach to address both teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancies is increased access to contraception in primary care centers. This project aims to improve short- and long-term health outcomes by comprehensively addressing contraception in pediatric practice. We propose offering long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods and comprehensive contraceptive counseling on site at the CMP. By offering comprehensive contraceptive services, we reduce barriers to obtaining effective methods and deepen our trusting relationships with adolescents. A dedicated contraceptive counselor also reduces physician time constraints and, more importantly, normalizes routine discussion around healthy relationships, family planning, and sexual behavior.

Short-term outcomes include increased counseling about contraception and increased number of adolescents using long-acting contraception (if they do not currently desire pregnancy). Long-term outcomes are reduction of teen pregnancy rates and increased access to effective contraception methods.

Publications

Tania Maria Caballero MD, MHS , Estefania Miramontes-Valdes MD, Sarah Polk MD, ScM, Mi Plan: Using a pediatric based community health worker model to facilitate obtainment of contraceptives among Latino immigrant parents with contraceptive needs., The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2022.08.004

Project Details

 
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