Do the Math: Access to Family Planning Services May Help Ensure High School Completion

In a U.S. study, female high school dropout rates were lower in areas where reproductive services were available.

Unintended pregnancy is often cited as a reason for not completing high school. In a retrospective cross-sectional study including 284,910 adolescent girls and young women (age range, 16–22), investigators used American Community Surveys data from 2012–2013 to determine if geographic access to family planning services (specifically Planned Parenthood and Title X clinics) is associated with reductions in female high school dropout rates.

The local presence of a Planned Parenthood Clinic was associated with a decrease in unadjusted high school dropout rates (from 4.83% to 4.08%; relative risk, 0.84; P<0.001) that persisted when adjusted for several variables (e.g., family income). For Title X clinic access, this reduction was more modest and d…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Do the Math: Access to Family Planning Services May Help Ensure High School Completion

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Reviewing Author