HEALTH-EDUCATION AT FAMILY-PLANNING CLINICS - STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING INFORMATION ABOUT CONTRACEPTION AND SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN

Female clients from three family planning clinics were surveyed for th eir sources of health information and knowledge regarding contraceptio n and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Clinics, doctors, pamphlet s/brochures, and nurses frequently were used as sources of contracepti ve information. Television was used most frequently for STD informatio n by the group with higher reading skills, whereas clinic and pamphlet s/brochures were used most frequently by the group with lower reading skills. Some significant correlations among contraceptive and STD know ledge and the number of sources of health information and perceived am ount learned also were found in the study. These findings can be helpf ul in developing health information and education programs at family p lanning clinics.