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DOCUMENTATION FOR THE GENERIC CLEARANCE

FOR THE COLLECTION OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Reproductive Health and Family Planning Education and Services: Understanding Experiences of Young Adults

[ ] INTERVIEWS

[ ] SMALL DISCUSSION GROUPS

[X] FOCUS GROUPS

[ ] QUESTIONNAIRES

[ ] OTHER (EXPLAIN: )

DESCRIPTION OF THIS SPECIFIC COLLECTION

1. Intended purpose

This is an exploratory study in which we aim to gain insight into the beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of young adults related to: (1) obtaining and using information about how to develop healthy relationships; (2) how to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases; and, (3) accessing and using health services related to family planning and reproductive health. We propose conducting focus group conversations with young adults ages 18 to 22 to understand the experiences of young adults (young women and men) who are receiving information and services, or could receive information and services, from HHS.

2. Need for the collection

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to continuous quality improvement as it seeks to provide high-quality information and services to young people to enable them to engage in healthy behaviors and avoid diseases, unplanned pregnancies, and their consequences. Specifically, the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) provides voluntary, confidential and low-cost education, counseling, and related comprehensive medical services at its Title X family planning clinics. OPA has an interest in better understanding the opinions and experiences of young adults related to the design and delivery of those services. A more nuanced understanding of beliefs, attitude, and decision-making will provide an important complement to the information HHS already obtains through current measures.

3. Planned use of the data

We will summarize these data in a research brief for HHS synthesizing findings from the focus groups.

4. Date(s) and location(s)

We will conduct the proposed data collection upon receiving OMB approval, which we anticipate will be approximately in mid-July and will collect data over a period of six weeks. The focus groups will take place in various HHS regions – e.g., Massachusetts (DHHS Region 1), Washington DC (DHHS Region 3), Georgia (DHHS Region 4), Illinois (DHHS Region 5), Texas (DHHS Region 6), Nebraska (DHHS Region 7), and California (DHHS Region 9).

5. Collection procedures

Data will be collected via in-person focus groups using a focus group protocol. Convenience samples will be used.

6. Number of collections (e.g., focus groups, surveys, sessions)

We will collect data through nine focus groups from approximately 72 respondents during focus group conversations, with approximately 6 to 8 respondents per focus group.

7. Description of respondents/participants

The sample will include participants already known to receive services from Title X clinics as well as some participants who will be recruited from other youth-serving organizations such as career readiness programs, organizations affiliated with Care-Net, City Year¹, and community colleges. To accomplish this, the AIR study team would work with designated points of contact at Title X clinics and organizations that serve young adults in the target states to recruit samples of patients meeting the age criteria for the study. Some of the participants could be recruited from youth councils sponsored by Title X clinics or youth-serving organizations.

8. Description of how results will be used

Results will be used to document beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of young adults related to family planning and reproductive health information and services. Results are intended to inform the Title X Family Planning program outreach and service delivery efforts.

9. Description of how results will or will not be disseminated and why or why not

We will summarize findings from the focus groups in an internal research brief for the use of ASPE and OPA. ASPE and OPA may decide to post the brief on the website of ASPE, OPA, or youth.gov if the results would be useful for a broader audience.

AMOUNT OF ANY PROPOSED STIPEND OR INCENTIVE – None.

BURDEN HOUR COMPUTATION (Number of responses (X) estimated response or participation time in minutes (/60) = annual burden hours):

Type of Respondent	Number of Respondents	Number of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden per Response (in hours)	Total Burden Hours	Hourly Wage Rate	Total Respondent Costs
Recruitment
Young Adults	450	1	2/60	15	$7.25	$108.75
Focus Groups
Young Adults	72	1	1.5	108	$7.25	$783.00
TOTAL	522			82		$891.75

BURDEN COST COMPUTATION

Staff (full-time equivalent)	Average Hours per Collection	Average Hourly Rate	Average Cost
Senior Researcher	202	$ 149.88	$ 30,275.76
Researcher	72	$ 110.83	$ 7,979.76
Research Assistant	66	$ 87.39	$ 5,767.74
Estimated Total Cost of Information Collection			$ 44,023.26

OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION

REQUESTED APPROVAL DATE: July 13, 2018

NAME OF CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Trivits, Project Officer

TELEPHONE NUMBER: (202) 205-9256

DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/BUREAU: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

1 City Year recruits 18 to 24 year-olds to serve on teams and support classrooms in public schools located in high-need communities.

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