Draw the ‘invisible man’ into the clinic
Draw the invisible man’ into the clinic
Are men a part of the picture at your family planning facility? Planned Parenthood of Pasadena (CA) has established a male advocate program to bring the "invisible man" into the clinic.
The agency has hired a full-time male advocate, Adam Arzate, to reach men in the Pasadena community. The program, initiated in 2001, has just received its second year of federal Title X funding for the program, administered through a grant through the California Family Health Council. The program received $18,697 for the 2001 calendar year, with $24,912 allocated for the 2002 calendar year, says Arzate.
"By having additional funding to provide for and promote male services and male involvement in family planning, we are not only able to promote male responsibility, but we also are able to work with both sides of the equation — the woman and the man — and therefore ultimately teach prevention and how to make responsible choices, in addition to just treating both of the patients at the current visit," says Kate Alson, Planned Parenthood of Pasadena vice president of public affairs.
This program has had a significant impact on the services at Planned Parenthood of Pasadena as it addresses two of the organization’s core mission statements: prevent as many unintended pregnancies as possible, and provide access to quality reproductive health care, Alson says.
Arzate sees the male outreach program’s primary concern as to instill in men a sense of equal responsibility and overall better understanding of their own individual male health issues.
"For too long, the sole emphasis has been placed on women," observes Arzate. "It’s now time for men to step up to the plate."
Make the connection
For the past three years, the federal Office of Population Affairs/Office of Family Planning, which directs Title X monies, has funded similar programs that address family planning and reproductive health information and services for males. While research shows that young men recognize unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS as serious problems and acknowledge their role in prevention, drawing men into family planning/ reproductive health information and service programs requires approaches that focus on their needs. (Contraceptive Technology Update reported on such research in its August 1998 issue, p. 97, in the article "Involve Young Men in Preventing Teen Pregnancy: Draw Them Into Your Clinic.")
The Pasadena program reaches out to men through various means, including classroom presentations, team sport talks, and word of mouth in community meetings at the local department of social services, Foothill Family Services, and other agencies. Many men come with referrals from their doctors, says Arzate. Arzate also frequents places where men congregate, such as gathering spots for day laborers, to act as an accessible community resource.
Most of the program’s promotion is on the grass-roots level, notes Arzate. Fliers and bro-chures carry information on the program, as does Planned Parenthood of Pasadena’s web site, www.pppasadena.org. Information also is presented during the agency’s community luncheons, scheduled every six to eight weeks, as well as through allied community organizations.
Planned Parenthood of Pasadena offers family planning services specifically for men, including physical exams and teaching males how to do self-testicular, prostate, and breast exams. It also gives referrals to low-cost or no-cost agencies that offer other medical services not provided at its facilities.
Reach young men at risk
To reach young men at risk, the male advocate program targets many groups such as recovery homes, substance abuse programs, and young parenting services, as well as community centers, area parks, and continuation schools.
"Our intent is to educate our overall service area, dispel myths, and create easy access to quality reproductive health care services to all who seek it," says Arzate.
When Arzate is not in the field, he works in the clinic taking patient history, assisting in the recovery room, and answering any concerns or questions patients may have, says Alson.
"He’s the personal contact they remember when they step inside, and he’s the friendly face they can turn to to alleviate any anxieties they may have," she notes.
Dispel male myths
An important aspect of Arzate’s job is to provide education on vasectomy services. There are many misconceptions among men about what takes place during a vasectomy procedure, he observes.
"The majority of men I come in contact with are so confused with what the service is that they are reluctant in even obtaining information," states Arzate. "My role is to educate them about the realities of the service, explain how it can beneficial, and how they can obtain it, and most important, be a friendly face when they walk through the door."
Resources
For more information on the male advocate program, contact:
- Adam Arzate, Planned Parenthood of Pasadena. Telephone: (626) 794-5737. Fax: (626) 798-4706. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.pppasadena.org.
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