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Review
. 2019 Sep;65(3):315-322.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.03.021. Epub 2019 Jun 18.

Confidentiality Matters but How Do We Improve Implementation in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care?

Sanjana Pampati  1 , Nicole Liddon  2 , Patricia J Dittus  3 , Susan Hocevar Adkins  2 , Riley J Steiner  2
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Free PMC article
Review

Confidentiality Matters but How Do We Improve Implementation in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care?

Sanjana Pampati et al. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Sep.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Confidentiality protections are a key component of high-quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. Research has shown that adolescents value confidentiality and are more likely to seek care and provide honest information when confidentiality protections are implemented. However, many adolescents do not receive confidential SRH care. We synthesize studies of adolescents, parents, and providers to identify confidentiality-related factors that may explain why adolescents do not seek care or receive confidential services when they do access care. We present themes relevant to each population that address individual-level knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as clinic-level characteristics such as protocols, billing mechanisms, and clinic type. These findings have the potential to inform intervention efforts to improve the delivery of confidential SRH care for young people.

Keywords: Adolescent; Confidentiality; Healthcare; Sexual and reproductive health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest:

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Figure 1.
Conceptual framework
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