Confidential Clinic Combats Teen Pregnancy
Babies having babies. You see them on talk shows, after-school specials, on the street, in your school.
But more and more, teens are making responsible choices when it comes to sex, thanks to a new program offered by Planned Parenthood.
The Teens Only Clinic takes place the first Wednesday of each month from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and serves youths 19 and younger.
During those hours, teen boys and girls take advantage of Planned Parenthood services — HIV testing, infection screening, pelvic exams, pregnancy tests, birth-control refills and more — for free. However, HIV testing is available free at any time. For teens who are not sexually active but are considering whether or not to take that step, their questions and concerns can be addressed.
The program is barely 7 months old, but participation has increased tremendously. Seven teens went to the first clinic last September; 63 came to last month’s, said health services director Julie Carrick. Carrick is hopeful that teens will keep coming back every month.
The clinic started for a number of reasons. According to statistics compiled by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, in Spokane County there are 3.1 births per 100 women ages 15-17, and 8.4 births per 100 women ages 18-19. More than three-fourths of all teen pregnancies are unplanned.
The goal of the clinic is to help teens feel as comfortable as possible by creating an environment strictly for them. That way, they don’t run the risk of running into Mom or Mom’s friend, said teen services coordinator Laurel May.
Teens can rest assured that all services are confidential and no parental consent is needed for attendance. No appointment is necessary, all teens have to do is show up. And Planned Parenthood, located at 123 E. Indiana, is right on the bus line and provides ample parking.
In addition to the Teens Only Clinic, Planned Parenthood provides many services to people of all ages.
A book and video library is available and covers a variety of topics, such as puberty, homosexuality, HIV, sexual abuse, menopause and how to talk to kids about sex.
A constant problem the clinic faces, however, is the perception that it is just an “abortion clinic,” Carrick said. But only 6 percent of services performed in 1996 were abortions, according to the 1996 annual report.
“We would like to have an impact on (reducing unwanted) teen pregnancy in the county,” said Carrick.
As the need grows, so will the Teens Only Clinics. Planned Parenthood is hoping to expand the clinic to biweekly. To accomplish this goal, it needs funding to expand the program and volunteers to help out.
“Teens have said they are going to be sexually active. By coming here, they are trying to be responsible. We need to help them do that,” Carrick said.
The next Teens Only Clinic is tomorrow from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood.
, DataTimes MEMO: Created in support of the Spokane County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), Discoveries highlights people working to improve community health and well-being. If you have a discovery that deserves recognition, call 742-3660. Or visit HIP’s Web site at www.hipspokane.org.