Adolescents' use of clinic services in rural Mexican-American communities

Abstract

There is a lack of health services in rural areas for adolescents. A large portion of adolescents in rural southwestern U.S. are Mexican-American. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of clinic services by adolescents in several rural Mexican-American communities. This study is a descriptive survey utilizing The Neuman Systems Model as the conceptual framework. This secondary analysis of data was conducted on data collected through encounter forms completed by clinic staff. The sample was drawn from adolescents age 10 to 18 years in four rural towns in Pinal County, Arizona. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests. Clinic services sought by Mexican-American adolescents age 10 to 18 are described. There were no statistically significant differences between clinic services sought by Anglo-European and Mexican-American adolescents age 10 to 18 years. There were no statistically significant differences in services sought by Mexican-American adolescents age 10 to 14 and those age 15 to 18. There were statistically significant differences in services sought by Mexican-American adolescents age 10 to 18 and people older than 18, including: type of visit, service provided, health education, nursing diagnoses, and referrals. Nursing is concerned with the well-being of all people. Nurses are sometimes the only providers in rural areas and also traditionally care for underserved populations. Nursing should be prepared to give adolescents the services which they desire. By having a better understanding of the population, and services sought, nurses can plan more effective care.