Improving Adolescent Sexual Risk Assessment With Event History Calendars: A Feasibility Study

Abstract 

Introduction

Nurses assess adolescent sexual risk to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, barriers to sexual risk assessment include lack of time and adolescent-friendly services. The purpose of this feasibility study is to evaluate the clinical utility and feasibility of using an Event History Calendar (EHC) for sexual risk assessment.

Method

Latina females aged 15 to 19 years (n = 30) completed an adolescent risk assessment EHC, reviewed it with a nurse, and reported their perceptions of the EHC. Two nurse practitioners used the EHCs to identify the adolescent’s risk behavior and reported their perceptions of EHC risk assessment and communication.

Results

Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis indicated the EHC is a time-efficient, adolescent-friendly risk assessment tool that facilitates identification and discussion of sexual risk and co-morbid risk behaviors.

Discussion

Although larger scale evaluation of the EHC is needed, it is useful for improving adolescent risk assessment and communication.