Mental health screening in family-planning clinics: a sexual risk-reduction opportunity

This study examined the association between depression, risk behaviors, parental communication, and perceived barriers related to condom use among adolescents attending family-planning clinics. A total of 751 minority women participated in the study. The authors collected data on demographic characteristics, depression, risk behaviors, parental communication about sex-related topics, and perceptions about partner attitudes. Results indicated that 15.2% of adolescents reported depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were associated with risk behaviors such as low condom use, substance use, reduced parental communication, and negative perceptions about condom use. These findings suggest that to provide a comprehensive healthcare service to adolescents, the focus of treatment must be expanded beyond the scope of the traditional family planning model. Issues such as depression, risk behaviors, and family communication have to be incorporated in prevention programs to increase the effectiveness of services aimed at risk reduction among adolescents.