The following is an Executive Summary of the Survey results. For a complete report, please contact CHF at 937-328-8841 or through this website.

During the summer of 2006, the Community Hospital Health Services Foundation (CHF) conducted a follow-up to the 2005 Physician Study. The purpose of this written survey was to understand how women, age 12 and up, in the greater Springfield and Clark County area access health services, particularly reproductive health services, and to assess the level of awareness of the availability of services. It is hoped that information gathered from this survey will help healthcare providers plan for and improve women’s health services for all women, regardless of ability to pay.

The method used for gathering information was not a statistically validated sample. Instead the survey was distributed widely throughout the county in order to make it available to as many women as had an interest in completing the form. To this end, the survey was distributed through thirteen area churches, the Clark County Combined Health District, the Clark County Public Library, Graceworks Lutheran Services, Rocking Horse Center, Planned Parenthood, Project Woman, Springfield Surgery Center, and obstetrician/gynecologist offices. In addition, surveys were available at the Clark County Fair and on the CHF website from July 15 through September 15. This distribution was supported by local radio advertising on WKSW and WULM and a Your Turn column in the Springfield News-Sun directing women to locations where the survey could be obtained.

Responses to this eight-question survey are summarized below:

WHICH SPRINGFIELD LOCATIONS DO YOU USE FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE?

Sixty percent (60%) cited private physician, 28% cited Community Hospital and 15% cited Mercy Medical Center. Eight and one-half percent (8.5%) of respondents name Rocking Horse Center and 7% name Planned Parenthood. Seventeen percent (17%) say that they did not use reproductive health services in the last 2 years. Eight and one-half percent (8.5%) say that they use a provider outside of Springfield. Younger women are just as likely to have a private physician as older women; but older women are more likely to use a healthcare provider outside of Springfield. Only half of respondents with incomes less than $15,000 use private physicians as compared to 80% of high-income women.

WHICH SERVICES DO YOU BELIEVE ARE AVAILABLE IN CLARK COUNTY?

Respondents were given a checklist of services and asked to identify as many as they believed were available and to indicate where one might get this service.

Women have several misconceptions about available services. Forty-eight percent (48%) believe that nurse midwife services are currently available in the county; in reality, as of the fall of 2006, there are two nurse practitioners who see gynecological patients but no nurse midwives are delivering babies. Emergency contraception and medically indicated abortions are available in the county; however, only 30% of respondents think so. Finally, although only 1/3 of respondents agree, infertility testing and counseling are available through private physicians. Perhaps, low response is reflective of the fact that after initial screening, most patients are referred out-of-county for treatment.

The statistics point out some opportunities. Since only 60% of respondents believe that women can get their tubes tied or can get family planning services, there seems to be a significant opportunity for reproductive health education and information. Fewer than 47% believe that menopause care is available. This may indicate an unmet need that can be addressed by local providers. We have extensive rape victim advocacy, coordinated evidence collection and rape care services in the county; however only 54% are aware of these services. Is this an opportunity for an educational campaign? Finally, 17% of women don’t know what reproductive services are available; it is the younger, more affluent and insured woman who is more likely to be aware of services. This data can help us target our health care messages.

Have you, or someone you know, gone out of the county for reproductive healthcare in the last two years? Twenty-six and one-half percent (26.5%) say “yes.” Compare this to the 8.5% who report in Question 1 that they, themselves, use an out-of-county provider. More affluent women, those with commercial insurance and those who live on the east and west ends of the county are more likely to go out-of-county for services. The most prevalent explanation for not seeking healthcare services in Clark County is that the service is not available in Clark County. The table below summarizes the reasons for out-migration.