Addressing Adolescent Sexual Health Through an Educational Toolkit for Providers in Rural Alaska

Introduction. Adequately addressing an adolescent’s sexual health is essential during the child’s development yet, 33% of adolescents have health visits with no mention of sexual health. On average, primary care providers spend approximately thirty-six seconds discussing sexual health topics with adolescents despite recommendations for comprehensive education. Alaska Native youth face significant disparities regarding sexual and reproductive health care. Implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive educational toolkit regarding various sexual health topics for rural healthcare providers in Alaska revealed positive outcomes in discussing sexual health with an adolescent.

Methods. Larrabee's Model for Evidence-based Practice Change guided the development, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence-based sexual health toolkit. The evidence-based initiative targeted rural healthcare providers caring for Alaska Native adolescents. The toolkit was accessible on an organizational-led website for download called Iknowmine.org. A 34-item evaluation survey assessed the utility, accessibility, and overall impact of the toolkit.

Results. Eight healthcare providers utilized the toolkit. Healthcare providers identified >70% American Indian or Alaska Native adolescents as clients. Healthcare providers practiced in various specialties and represented each of the five geographical areas of Alaska. Healthcare providers found the most beneficial topics within the toolkit were answering adolescent questions and tips to create a confidential, youth-friendly environment (M = 4.4, SD = 0.98). After a review of the toolkit, there was a slight increase in a provider's likelihood to initiate sexual health discussion with an adolescent and a statistically significant increase in a provider's confidence in talking with youth about sexual health (p = .004). Healthcare providers prefer online resources available through a URL and share positive feedback on the aesthetics of the toolkit. Healthcare providers somewhat to strongly agree that the toolkit taught them something new, is easily accessible, and aids in sexual health care delivery.

Discussion. The Adolescent Sexual Health Toolkit is a concisely formatted toolkit that includes evidence-based information for rural healthcare providers. The toolkit is easily accessible and is available on iknowmine.org and aids healthcare provider communication with adolescents about sexual health topics. Healthcare provider feedback addressed the need for sexual health resources, improved provider’s confidence in talking with adolescents, and shared eagerness to use evidence-based resources to improve practice.