Improving adolescent sexual risk assessment with event history calendars: A feasibility study

Introduction: Nurses assess adolescent sexual risk to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, barriers to sexual risk assessment include lack of time and adolescent-friendly services. The purpose of this feasibility study is to evaluate the clinical utility and feasibility of using an Event History Calendar (EHC) for sexual risk assessment. Method: Latina females aged 15 to 19 years (n = 30) completed an adolescent risk assessment EHC, reviewed it with a nurse, and reported their perceptions of the EHC. Two nurse practitioners used the EHCs to identify the adolescent's risk behavior and reported their perceptions of EHC risk assessment and communication. Results: Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis indicated the EHC is a time-efficient, adolescent-friendly risk assessment tool that facilitates identification and discussion of sexual risk and co-morbid risk behaviors. Discussion: Although larger scale evaluation of the EHC is needed, it is useful for improving adolescent risk assessment and communication.