Screening for the Need and Desire for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Introduction: Proactively engaging patients in conversations about their needs and desires for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an essential part of providing client-centered care. This systematic literature identifies screening tools and approaches for assessing needs and desires for pregnancy- and STI-related services.

Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published between July 1, 2018 and July 26, 2023. Eligible studies examined the use of screening tools for various SRH services. This manuscript focuses on evidence from 28 articles that examine findings related to pregnancy and STI screening.

Results: The evidence suggests that using these tools can increase the number of patients who receive care. The tools also facilitate clients' discussions with their providers about reproductive health goals and needs. Patients appreciate tools that are easy to use and help them have non-judgmental interactions with providers and promote shared decision-making and bodily autonomy. Providers reported a preference for screening tools that are easy to use, quick to administer, and can be integrated into existing workflows.

Conclusions: Screening tools are important for identifying clients' needs and desires as well as informing and streamlining care. More research is needed to better understand the diversity of provider and patient experiences with screening tools and whether the use of such tools promotes accessible and equitable service provision. There was insufficient evidence to recommend any specific screening tool or approach for assessing pregnancy or STI needs and desires because most tools were reported either in a single study or results were mixed.

Trial registration: Prospero - CRD420234486.