The State of Sexual and Reproductive Health on Campus, a report released in May 2024 from The American College Health Foundation illustrates how nationally the changing legal landscape is impacting both students and healthcare staff. In addition, the ACHA National College Health Assessment (NCHA) currently includes questions related to reproductive health care including use of contraception methods, sexual behaviors, pregnancy, and number of sexual partners. Likewise, the ACHA Sexual Health Services Survey includes broad questions regarding reproductive health care offered at member institutions such as types of services provided (contraceptives, STI testing, cervical cancer screening, and referrals for prenatal and abortion care). However, questions on both these surveys are limited and do not provide a deep understanding of a student’s lived experience with needing and accessing reproductive health care, particularly abortion. In order to determine the effects of unplanned pregnancy on students, the RRTF has compiled a list of data sources to help health and wellness professionals provide resources and support.

There are a number of national and state organizations that collect reproductive and sexual health statistics including information on abortion. These data do not necessarily report college student-specific data or the impact that pregnancy and abortion could have on college students. Below is a collection of data sources for colleges and universities to consult and explore when developing their own instruments on reproductive health. Schools can also use secondary data to advocate for resources and support for students.

Strategies to increase data regarding access to reproductive health services and the impact on student health can include:

  • Create your own campus surveys, listening sessions, focus groups, etc., asking students directly about their reproductive health and access needs and resources.
  • Add questions regarding reproductive health and access to internal student surveys such as NCHA or other campus-wide survey data that permit you add questions.
  • Analyze data regarding your pregnant and parenting students and its impact on academic performance. These questions were added to the NCHA beginning in the Fall 2023 survey period.
  • Track data in your student health and counseling services to see how many students are seeking services and referrals to reproductive health care services.
  • Collaborate with offices supporting students based on identity such as women’s centers, LGBTQ+ resource centers, and intercultural centers to hear and understand their experiences with students who can or have become pregnant and who reach out for their support.
  • Work with your campus’s student insurance specialist to determine gaps in access for reproductive health care services.

 

 

Reproductive and Sexual Health Data

 

 

Abortion Data

Institutions may be able to use existing surveys to capture student data related to pregnancy and parenting. For example, suggested questions could be added to the National College Health Assessment, the Student Satisfaction Inventory, the SERU (Student Experience in the Research University) survey, the CIRP Freshman Survey, as well as other surveys your institution may use.