Mapping Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Orleans Parish, Louisiana: A Field-Tested Survey Methodology

Authors

• Isabelle Jouve, Johns Hopkins University
• Ryann Martinek, New Orleans Health Department
• Zoey Ponder, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Isabel Arce, Tulane University
• Ryley White, Tulane University

Abstract

Background: Fragmented access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is driving a sexual health crisis among the youth population in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and teen pregnancy continue to rise while SRH education offerings decline. In response to these outcomes, a Sexual Health, Education, and Rights (SHER) Lab team presents a field-tested survey methodology to characterize the landscape of youth-accessible SRH service providers. Methods: In May 2025, the SHER Lab launched an SRH landscape assessment project to survey youth-serving organizations in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The project team collected comprehensive feedback from community stakeholders to develop survey questions and an implementation strategy. The survey has been launched citywide using five outreach channels: email, social media, phone calls, meetings or events, and in-person visits. Results: The landscape assessment survey design and implementation strategy have been finalized and field-tested. Survey responses have identified a wide range of SRH services offered in Orleans Parish, as well as gaps in access. A publicly available resource guide will be released in community-accessible formats, like social media and organization websites, using survey responses to map local SRH services for youth. Discussion: Operational and administrative issues included coordinating across a broad SHER Lab team and maximizing survey participation within a narrow timeframe. The team addressed these issues through strategies such as establishing thorough documentation protocols for outreach. The team also proposes recommendations for future efforts, including incentivizing survey participation. Conclusions: The survey methodology and design serve as a field-tested, community-oriented model intended to inform future research efforts.

DOI

10.59020/64221

Recommended Citation

Jouve, Isabelle; Martinek, Ryann; Ponder, Zoey; Arce, Isabel; and White, Ryley (2026) "Mapping Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Orleans Parish, Louisiana: A Field-Tested Survey Methodology," Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.59020/64221
Available at: https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/jlpha/vol6/iss1/7