The role of school-based health centers in providing long-active reversible contraceptive care to adolescents in New York City.

ABSTRACT

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are effective contraceptive methods for adolescents. This study describes the initiation and continuation of LARC care to adolescents at school-based health centers (SBHCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants received contraceptive care in New York City SBHCs from April 2021-June 2022. LARC initiation, LARC discontinuation, and total contraceptive visits were measured monthly. During the study period, the SBHCs provided 1,303 contraceptive visits, including 77 LARC initiations. Among LARC initiations, six-month continuation probability was 79.3 % (95 %CI 69.0-91.1). SBHCs play an important role in providing adolescents contraceptive services, particularly LARC care, when other health care systems are disrupted.