Sources of health information regarding contraception and STDs among family planning clinic clients

A total of 215 female clients from three family planning clinics in Dallas, Texas were administered questionnaires to determine their sources of health information, amounts learned, and knowledge and attitudes regarding contraception and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Subjects were divided into two groups according to their reading skills determined by the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT3). The first group of 151 female clinic clients had a reading level of 7th grade or lower and the second group of 64 had a reading level of 8th grade or higher. African Americans comprised the majority (59.5%) of the subjects. The average age of the subjects was 25.0 years. Doctor, nurse, clinic, and pamphlets/brochures were the most frequently used sources of health information by both groups for contraception. Television was the most frequently used source of health information regarding STDs by the group with higher reading skills. Clinic and pamphlets/brochures were the most frequently used health information sources regarding STDs by the group with lower reading skills. Some correlations were noted between the knowledge scales and number of sources of health information and amount learned from these sources. However, no correlations were observed between the attitudes scales and number of sources of health information and amount learned from these sources.