Correlates of Sexual and Reproductive Health Discussions During Preventive Visits: Findings From a National Sample of U.S. Adolescents

This study examines characteristics of healthcare delivery, providers, and adolescents associated with provider-adolescent discussions about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during preventive visits. Data were from a 2019 national internet survey of U.S. adolescents ages 11–17 years and their parents. Adolescents who had a preventive visit in the past 2 years (n = 853) were asked whether their provider discussed each of eight SRH topics at that visit: puberty, safe dating, gender identity, sexual orientation, whether or not to have sex, sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus, birth control methods, and where to get SRH services. Eight multivariable logistic regression models were examined (one for each SRH topic as the outcome), with each model including modifiable healthcare delivery and provider characteristics, adolescent beliefs, behaviors, and demographic characteristics as potential correlates. Provider-adolescent discussions about SRH topics at the last preventive visit were positively associated with face-to-face screening about sexual activity for all eight topics (range of adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 3.40–9.61), having time alone with the adolescent during that visit (seven topics; AORs = 1.87–3.87), and ever having communicated about confidentiality with adolescents (two topics; AORs = 1.88–2.19) and with parents (one topic; AOR = 2.73). Adolescents’ perception that a topic was important to discuss with their provider was associated with provider-adolescent discussions about seven topics (AORs = 2.34–5.46). Findings that provider-adolescent discussions about SRH during preventive visits were associated with modifiable practices including time alone between providers and adolescents and screening about sexual activity can inform efforts to improve the delivery of adolescent SRH services within primary care.