Holmes county health department offers family planning clinics
Shelly Webb
November 17, 2010
277
Thanks to funding provided by Title I Family Planning, the Holmes County Health Department is able to offer Family Planning Clinics. Some residents may not be aware of these services and could be missing out on improving their health and lifestyle.
According to Beth Crone RN, DON for Holmes County Health Department the clinics include promotion of healthy lifestyles and relationships. Some services include pregnancy testing and counseling/fertility issues and diagnosis and treatment of STDs. Crone said there are many goals associated with the clinics that have the ability to improve overall health for county residents.
We have several goals with this program, Crone explained. One goal is to reduce the percentage of unintended pregnancies in Holmes County clients by increasing the availability and voluntary choice in effective contraceptive use. We also want to improve the overall health (physical and social) of clients served by Holmes County and to decrease the rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) among Holmes County clients. Another goal is to increase the proportion of the priority population served by conducting focused community outreach programs.
According to Crone payment for clinic services is based on household income, but no one is denied services due to an inability to pay.
The clinics offer a wide array of assistance including family planning, birth control and reproductive health care.
We offer family planning as in timing or spacing your children, Crone said. We also offer birth control and we offer several types such as Depo Shots, oral pills, patches, Nuva rings, IUDs and condoms. Services include reproductive health care which offers pap smears, breast or testicle exams and diagnosis and treatment of STDs. Pregnancy testing and counseling is available as well as help with basic infertility issues.
As a public health official, Crone thinks reproductive health care is sometimes over looked or avoided, causing various health issues within a community.
For example, there are times when parents do not have the comfort level to discuss these issues with their children, Crone said. We as health professional can address these issues however sometimes the perception is that if we discuss reproductive health with young people then we are condoning sex and everyone is doing it. This is not the case. Public schools are even teaching what STDs are and the anatomy of the male and female reproductive system. Some STDs are treatable and some are not and individuals need to be aware of this.
STDs have become a big problem in recent years. In fact, February has now been dubbed National STD Awareness Month and Crone plans to have a display and pamphlets available at the main library in February 2011.
The display will be located in the youth area, she explained. We will also display a box for questions that individuals can ask and we will review those questions at the end of the month then Dr McFadden plans to answers the questions live on the Voice of Holmes County on March 4th, 2011.
The clinics are funded by a yearly grant that covers some of the costs incurred and the expenses of supplies and birth control. Crone said she would like to increase the awareness of the clinic so local residents can take advantage of the services being offered. Again, services are available for both male and female residents.
If you are interested in making an appointment or wish to find out more information about the services offered, please feel free to call 330-674-8444.
Reproductive health is an important part of an individuals overall physical and mental health. If you are struggling with infertility issues, family planning questions or are in need of a pap test, breast exam, testicle exam, birth control or have concerns regarding an STD, contact the number above.
