ABSTRACT
Purpose: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized adolescents face new and exacerbated barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health (MH) care. While telemedicine has adapted to increase access to SRH/MH services, it is less likely to be used by those with limited familiarity or no previous connection to care. We assessed the impact of a novel intervention (AccessKCTeen) that leverages peer outreach leaders and community events on confidence in accessing SRH/MH care and telemedicine. Methods: We engaged and trained teen peer leaders to stimulate healthcare-seeking behaviors by sharing SRH/MH information from our virtual toolkit and mobilizing their peer networks to attend our AccessKCTeen health outreach events. We partnered with community organizations to host events where we demonstrated telemedicine via a mobile van, shared local resources for SRH/MH care, and distributed free over-the-counter emergency contraception (EC), condoms, and pregnancy tests. All services were offered in English and Spanish. Teens completed three surveys: (1) prior to the engaging with AccessKCTeen (demographics, healthcare needs and trust and confidence to access care);(2) immediately post-intervention (health service uptake [e.g., EC, condoms, pregnancy test], satisfaction, healthcare trust, confidence to access care);and (3) one-month after the event (follow-up SRH/MH care utilization). Study staff documented teen engagement and feedback via field notes. Results: We trained five peer leaders. During three community health events, we enrolled 63 teens (mean age 15.9 years;67% female at birth, 27% Genderfluid/Non-Binary/Trans, 27% Hispanic, 30% Black, 45% White, 38% heterosexual). Most (68%) reported no previous vaginal/penile sex. In past week, the majority reported 1 or more days feeling anxious (62%)/depressed (50%)/lonely (59%)/hopeful (71%). Many (44%) had forgone needed care in the previous year, and few (32 %) had previously used telemedicine. Most reported improved understanding of telemedicine after the demonstration. Teens reported these benefits of telemedicine: privacy, ease of use, and increased access to SRH and MH care. Participants felt MH care is “desperately needed” but carries stigma and had friends or classmates with MH concerns. Participants voiced they “need facts” and accurate information on SRH, that education on “abstinence is not enough”, and frequently did not know that EC was available without prescription or the timeframe of effectiveness. Most teens discussed the SRH items directly with the AcessKCTeen. Post-intervention: 82% were satisfied with the intervention and 86% would recommend it to friend. Compared to baseline, more participants reported confidence to access telemedicine (58% vs. 78%) and in-person care: (67% vs. 72%) and trusted “doctors and nurses completely” (70% vs. 79%). Many accepted condoms (27%), pregnancy tests (16%) and EC (27%, 4 of whom were male). Recruitment and follow-up with participants and peer leaders is ongoing Conclusions: As COVID-19 continues to negatively impact SRH/MH care-seeking, the AccessKCTeen pilot offers critical insight on novel methods to increase access to SRH/MH care for marginalized adolescents. Sources of Support: O.5506 (CARES Act Funds), Berkley-Patton (PI), Jackson County, MO [Our Healthy KC Eastside (OHKCE): Addressing COVID-19 and Social Determinants on KC Eastside].