Georgia's Family Planning Program facts at a glance, fiscal year 2005

Georgia's Family Planning Program
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Fiscal Year 2005

The Georgia Family Planning Program Facts at a Glance, Fiscal Year 2005
What is the Georgia Family Planning Program?
The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Family Planning Program is often the only source of health information and clinical services for many Georgia women, and represents a critical point of entry into the public health system. "Family Planning" means preventing unintended pregnancy and planning for a healthy pregnancy and is a key contributor to healthy families and healthy babies in Georgia. By providing services to individuals who may otherwise not be able to access them, the Georgia Family Planning Program (GFPP) aims to lower the incidence of unintended pregnancy, improve maternal and infant health, reduce the incidence of abortions, and lower rates of sexually transmitted infections.
The GFPP is funded primarily with Federal Family Planning funds through Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Created in 1970, Title X provides $8.3 million in funding to the program, which is also supported by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funding, Medicaid and client fees and State funds. Title X is the only Federal program solely dedicated to assuring that family planning and reproductive health services are available to all who want and need them, especially low-income individuals. Each year, these publicly subsidized family planning programs and services help America's families avoid an estimated 1.3 million unintended pregnancies.
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of GFPP's services and clients and is based on data submitted by a network of 276 Title X funded clinic sites across the state. The extensive data collected by the program is used to monitor program compliance, guide strategic planning and ensure program accountability.
1

Key Role of GFPP
All Title X supported clinics provide high quality and affordable services that include a broad range of contraceptive methods and related counseling. The Georgia Family Planning Program offers the following confidential and voluntary services in all 159 counties through a network of 276 clinic sites:
Health risk assessment Medical exams Screening for breast and cervical cancer Abstinence skills education and counseling Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted disease HIV counseling and testing Contraceptive supplies Education and counseling on planning for a healthy pregnancy Pregnancy testing and counseling Immunizations Assessment and referral for
substance abuse (including tobacco) Health promotion, education, and counseling Health risk referral and follow-up as appropriate
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"I have very little money and if it was not for the family planning clinic, I would not know where to go for my exams and Pap smears"..
Family Planning Program Client THOMASTON, GA

"I have two children and wanted to learn more about birth control to prevent a third pregnancy. The staff took the time with me to tell me what I need to know to make decisions about birth control"...
Family Planning Program Client COLLEGE PARK, GA

"Being a Hispanic woman, I was grateful the clinic staff spent the extra time with me. They also had an interpreter at the clinic. I have told all my friends"...
Family Planning Program Client CHATSWORTH, GA
3

The Program Served 175,452 Clients in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005
In FY 2005 (July 2004 through June 2005) the program served 175,452 clients at 276 clinic sites across Georgia. The data related to clients served is obtained from Georgia Family Planning Mainframe Information System. This system extracts data from various clinical/client based information systems.
Sex of Users
In FY 2005, 97 percent of clients were women and 3 percent were men. Today family planning providers consider men's reproductive health needs in a broader context and are expanding their efforts to reach and serve men. At the same time, clinics are providing counseling services to address the role that men play in decision-making about contraception, and promoting responsible sexual behavior among teenage males.
Age
In FY 2005, about 3 out of 4 family planning clients were aged 20 years or older. About one quarter of family planning clients were older than 30 years of age.

Family Planning Users by Age (%), Georgia, FY 2005

2% 3%
11% 23%
13%

Under 15 15-17 18-19 20-24

18% 30%

25-29 30-44

Over 45

Source: Georgia Division of Public Health Family Planning Mainframe System.

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Income
One of the key goals of Title X is to provide services and assistance to low income individuals who may not otherwise be able to access these services. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size. However, services are never denied due to inability to pay. Nearly three quarters (70 percent) of Title X family planning users have incomes at or below the federal poverty level.
Race and Ethnicity
In FY 2005, among female clients, about half were black and half were white. Among the male clients, 74 percent were black and 24 percent were white. Georgia, like many other states, has experienced a significant increase in its immigrant populations over the last decade, particularly Hispanics. In FY 2005, 15 percent of the Title X Family Planning clients (27,071) reported they were of Hispanic ethnicity.

Family Planning Users by Race (%), Georgia, FY 2005
6%

47% 47%

Black White *Other

*Other (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, More than one race, Unknown/No Reported Race) Source: Georgia Division of Public Health Family Planning Mainframe System.

5

Title X Program Guidelines Provide a Wide Range of Preventive Services
Cancer Screening
Family Planning clinics provide screening for breast and cervical cancer. Extensive research has shown that early detection of breast and cervical cancer can significantly increase chances of long-term survival. Routine Pap tests (screening for cervical cancer) can prevent virtually all deaths from cervical cancer and routine mammograms with clinical breast examinations are valuable as early detection tools. Women with abnormal results are assisted in finding resources for further evaluation and treatment if needed.
"It's not been easy to make ends meet as a college student, but I have peace of mind knowing that I have access to quality health care"...
Family Planning Program Client GAINESVILLE, GA
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Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing and Treatment
Family Planning clinics test and treat for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Clinics also test for HIV and assure that individuals who test positive receive appropriate care.
Rates of STD are highest among adolescents and young adult women.
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD, followed by gonorrhea.
Although chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are treatable with antibiotics, STDs can have serious health consequences. Active infections can increase the likelihood of contracting HIV, and untreated STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
In 2004, 26 percent of AIDS cases diagnosed were women.
While the number of people diagnosed with AIDS has been declining, black and white women account for an increasing percentage of those diagnosed with AIDS.

Preventive Health Screenings, Georgia, FY 2005

STD Tests

Breast Exams

PAP Tests *HIV Tests

13,826

79,459 77,529

158,145

50,000

100,000

Number of Screenings

*Source: GA Public Health HIV CTS database (HIV Counseling and Testing System) and includes only public health facilities reporting.

150,000

200,000

7

62,038

28,607 20,843 8,188 5,670 3,837

Number of Users

Leading Method of Contraception is the Pill
Surveys of women in the United States show that oral contraceptives are the leading method of contraception, followed by female sterilization and the male condom. In the Georgia Family Planning Program, 37 percent of women chose oral contraceptives as their method, followed by the 3-month hormonal injection (17%), and those that rely on partner's method (12%).
Method of Contraception Used by Title X Female Family Planning Users, Georgia, FY 2005
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
*Other includes fertility awareness method, spermicide alone, female condom, contraceptive sponge or diaphragm, vaginal ring. **Male condom or vasectomy. Source: Georgia Division of Public Health Family Planning Mainframe System.
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Intrauterine Device (IUD) 2,607

*Other 3,784

3 month hormonal injection
**Rely on male method Female surgical sterilization
Hormonal/Contraceptive Patch
Abstinence

Oral Contraception

58,660 27,364 22,730 19,872

GFPP is Essential Source of Health Information
According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute about 50 percent of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Preconception counseling can optimize a women's health status prior to pregnancy and educate her about the health risks and effects during the first months of pregnancy, a critical time for fetal development. For example, the Georgia Family Planning Program takes advantage of every encounter with clients to provide preconception education. Clients are educated about the importance of adequate folic acid in preventing neural tube defects or defects of the spine and brain, like spina bifida, or "open spine." To prevent these defects, women who are capable of getting pregnant are advised to take and are given the B vitamin, folic acid. In addition, the Georgia Family Planning Program requires, at first clinic visit, that all adolescents must be counseled on abstinence and resisting attempts to be coerced into engaging in sexual activities.
Additional Services Provided, Georgia, FY 2005
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Source: Georgia Division of Public Health Family Planning Mainframe System.
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Number of Services

Preconception Health Appraisal
Folic Acid Treatment for Infections (Vaginal/STD) Abstinence Skills Training

GFPP Plays a Key Role in Georgia
The Georgia Family Planning Program is a priority in Georgia because it provides critical services for Georgia's neediest individuals. It is effective and saves money. For low-income women or those who lack health insurance, access to a wide range of health and preventive services can help prevent disease and promote the individual's overall health. In addition, family planning is cost-effective. Every dollar spent on family planning services saves an estimated average of $4.40 on medical care, welfare and nutritional programs for babies up to age two. For Georgia, this represents almost $16 million saved over a two-year period. In addition, every public dollar spent on family planning can save $3 in Medicaid costs for pregnancy-related health care and for medical care of newborns. Most importantly family planning works. Research has shown that allowing 18 to 23 months between pregnancies helps reduce low birth weight and infant mortality.
"As a woman, you go through a lot. Thanks for being there for us so we can plan our pregnancies"...
Family Planning Program Client HARTWELL, GA
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Looking Ahead to Goals and Challenges of the Georgia Family Planning Program
The Georgia Family Planning Program has made significant progress in supporting Georgia's women and families, but there is still much work to be done. Some of the key goals and challenges include:
Assuring continued high quality family planning and reproductive health services that will improve overall health of individuals.
Maintaining the guarantee of full contraceptive choice in the face of rapidly escalating costs.
Increasing access to services by partnering with other community-based organizations that have related interests and that work with similar populations.
Emphasizing clinical services for hard-to-reach populations such as uninsured, underinsured, males, homeless and migrant populations.
Encouraging coordination between public and private sectors to ensure all women have access to breast and cancer screening and education as well as STD and HIV prevention education, counseling and testing.
Utilizing current data to optimize program planning and monitor performance.
Using evidenced-based information to support program activities.
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GEORGIA Public Health Districts
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Health District Information
Family Planning

District 1-1: Northwest (Rome) Ph: 706-295-6652 Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Polk, Walker

District 5-1: South Central (Dublin) Ph: 478-275-6545 Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, Wilcox

District 1-2: North (Dalton) Ph: 706-272-2342 Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Whitifield

District 5-2: North Central (Macon) Ph: 478-751-6223 Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington, Wilkinson

District 2: North (Gainesville) Ph: 770-535-5743 Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White

District 6: East Central (Augusta) Ph: 706-667-4285 Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro Warren, Wilkes

District 3-1: Cobb/Douglas Ph: 770-514-2309 Cobb, Douglas

District 7: West Central (Columbus) Ph: 229-931-2390 Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Muscogee, Marion, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster

District 3-2: Fulton Ph: 404-730-1564 Fulton

District 8-1: South (Valdosta) Ph: 229-333-5290 Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier Lowndes, Tift, Turner

District 3-3: Clayton (Morrow) Ph: 404-363-6781 Clayton

District 8-2: Southwest (Albany) Ph: 229-430-4571 Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Dougherty, Decatur, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth

District 3-4: East Metro (Lawrenceville) Ph: 678-442-6868 Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale

District 9-1: Coastal (Savannah) Ph: 912-644-5202 Bryan, Camden, Cahatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty Long, McIntosh

District 3-5: DeKalb Ph: 404-294-3868 Dekalb

District 9-2: Southeast (Waycross) Ph: 912-285-6080 Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch,Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Evans, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware, Wayne

District 4: LaGrange Ph: 706-845-4035 Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson

District 10: Northeast (Athens) Ph: 706-583-2777 Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton

Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health Family Health Branch Women's Health Services
Two Peachtree Street, NW, 11th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142 404-657-3142
http://health.state.ga.us/programs/familyplanning/ GDPHINFO@dhr.state.ga.us
This publication is funded by a Title X grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
DPH05/127HW