Kevin T Koenig1, Mary M Ramos2, Tara T Fowler3, Kristin Oreskovich4, Jane McGrath5, Gerry Fairbrother6. 1. NORC at the University of Chicago, 55 E. Monroe St. 30th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603. koenig-kevin@norc.org. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, 625 Silver Ave. SW Suite 324, Albuquerque, NM 87102. mramos@salud.unm.edu. 3. Altarum Institute, 2000 Duke St., Ste 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. tara.trudnak@altarum.org. 4. New Mexico Department of Health, Office of School and Adolescent Health, 300 San Mateo Blvd, NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108. kristin.oreskovich@state.nm.us. 5. Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, 625 Silver Ave. SW Suite 324, Albuquerque, NM 87102. jmcgrath@salud.unm.edu. 6. Academy Health, 1150 17th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. gerry.fairbrother@academyhealth.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of care and service use among adolescent school-based health center (SBHC) users in New Mexico and contrast patterns and services between frequent and infrequent users. METHODS: Medical claims/encounter data were analyzed from 59 SBHCs located in secondary schools in New Mexico during the 2011-2012 school year. We used Pearson's chi-square test to examine the differences between frequent (≥ 4 visits/year) and infrequent users in their patterns of SBHC care, and we conducted logistic regression to examine whether frequent use of the SBHC predicted receipt of behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; checkup; or acute care services. RESULTS: Most of the 26,379 adolescent SBHC visits in New Mexico were for behavioral health (42.4%) and reproductive and sexual health (22.9%). Frequent users have greater odds of receiving a behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; and acute care visit than infrequent users (p < .001). American Indians, in particular, have higher odds of receiving behavioral health and checkup visits, compared with other races/ethnicities (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: SBHCs deliver core health care services to adolescents, including behavioral, reproductive, and checkup services, to high need populations. American-Indian youth, more than their peers, use SBHCs for behavioral health and checkups.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of care and service use among adolescent school-based health center (SBHC) users in New Mexico and contrast patterns and services between frequent and infrequent users. METHODS: Medical claims/encounter data were analyzed from 59 SBHCs located in secondary schools in New Mexico during the 2011-2012 school year. We used Pearson's chi-square test to examine the differences between frequent (≥ 4 visits/year) and infrequent users in their patterns of SBHC care, and we conducted logistic regression to examine whether frequent use of the SBHC predicted receipt of behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; checkup; or acute care services. RESULTS: Most of the 26,379 adolescent SBHC visits in New Mexico were for behavioral health (42.4%) and reproductive and sexual health (22.9%). Frequent users have greater odds of receiving a behavioral, reproductive, and sexual health; and acute care visit than infrequent users (p < .001). American Indians, in particular, have higher odds of receiving behavioral health and checkup visits, compared with other races/ethnicities (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: SBHCs deliver core health care services to adolescents, including behavioral, reproductive, and checkup services, to high need populations. American-Indian youth, more than their peers, use SBHCs for behavioral health and checkups.