Sophia Yen, MD, MPH

Sunnyvale, California, United States Contact Info
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  • Pandia Health

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Publications

  • Improving adolescent knowledge of emergency contraception: challenges and solutions

    Open Access Journal of Contraception

    Globally, unintended adolescent pregnancies pose a significant burden. One of the most important tools that can help prevent unintended pregnancy is the timely use of emergency contraception (EC), which in turn will decrease the need for abortions and complications related to adolescent pregnancies. Indications for the use of EC include unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. Use of EC is recommended within 120 hours, though is most effective if used as soon as…

    Globally, unintended adolescent pregnancies pose a significant burden. One of the most important tools that can help prevent unintended pregnancy is the timely use of emergency contraception (EC), which in turn will decrease the need for abortions and complications related to adolescent pregnancies. Indications for the use of EC include unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. Use of EC is recommended within 120 hours, though is most effective if used as soon as possible after unprotected sex. To use EC, adolescents need to be equipped with knowledge about the various EC methods, and how and where EC can be accessed. Great variability in the knowledge and use of EC around the world exists, which is a major barrier to its use. The aims of this paper were to 1) provide a brief overview of EC, 2) discuss key social determinants affecting knowledge and use of EC, and 3) explore best practices for overcoming the barriers of lack of knowledge, use, and access of EC.

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  • Emergency Contraception Pill Awareness and Knowledge in Uninsured Adolescents: High Rates of Misconceptions Concerning Indications for Use, Side Effects, and Access.

    Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

    RESULTS: Of the study population of 439, 30% of the participants were 13-16 years old and 70% were 17-25 years old (mean age 17.8 years); 66% were women. Young women (86%) reported higher rates of "hearing about emergency contraception" than did young men (70%) (P < .0001). Many incorrectly identified or were uncertain if ECPs were an abortion pill (40%) or could be used as regular birth control (40%) or to prevent sexually transmitted infections (19%). Only 40% of women and 43% of men aged…

    RESULTS: Of the study population of 439, 30% of the participants were 13-16 years old and 70% were 17-25 years old (mean age 17.8 years); 66% were women. Young women (86%) reported higher rates of "hearing about emergency contraception" than did young men (70%) (P < .0001). Many incorrectly identified or were uncertain if ECPs were an abortion pill (40%) or could be used as regular birth control (40%) or to prevent sexually transmitted infections (19%). Only 40% of women and 43% of men aged 17 and older correctly answered that they could obtain EC over the counter; 72% did not know that males could receive EC for use by their partner; 12% incorrectly selected that infertility was a side effect; 44% were under the false impression that EC had to be taken within 1 day of unprotected sex.
    CONCLUSIONS:
    Uninsured adolescents have high rates of ECP awareness but low ECP knowledge. These adolescents need more ECP education to alleviate misconceptions and increase practical knowledge, specifically, education about male access, side effects, over-the-counter availability for young men and women, and the 120-hour window of use.

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  • Contraception for adolescents

    Pediatric Annals

    CME EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: 1.Identify and explain the four currently available methods of emergency contraception.2.Discuss the risk and benefits of intrauterine devices as a first-line option for contraception in adolescents.3.Review strategies for explaining the most common contraceptive methods to an adolescent. The US has the highest pregnancy rate of any industrialized nation, approximately twice that of Canada, four times that of France, and eight times that of Japan or Italy.1 In recent…

    CME EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: 1.Identify and explain the four currently available methods of emergency contraception.2.Discuss the risk and benefits of intrauterine devices as a first-line option for contraception in adolescents.3.Review strategies for explaining the most common contraceptive methods to an adolescent. The US has the highest pregnancy rate of any industrialized nation, approximately twice that of Canada, four times that of France, and eight times that of Japan or Italy.1 In recent years, the rate has declined, partially due to delayed coitarche (age of onset of vaginal sexual intercourse) but mainly due to greater use of contraception.2 Per the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (a national survey of about 15,000 youth in schools), 33% of high school freshmen, 44% of sophomores, 53% of juniors, and 63% of seniors have had vaginal sexual intercourse. To prevent unplanned and unwanted teenage pregnancies, which have negative consequences on a teenager's health and future, pediatricians must be able to provide birth control or at least know where to refer their patients in need.

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    • Susanne Martin
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  • Pediatric residents' knowledge, use, and comfort with expedited partner therapy for STIs.

    Pediatrics

    OBJECTIVE:
    We examined California pediatric residents' knowledge, practices, and comfort of providing expedited partner therapy (EPT) for sexually transmitted infections, by postgraduate year of training and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship. We hypothesized that few residents are aware of EPT, and fewer are comfortable providing it; knowledge, practices, and comfort increase during residency; and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship increases knowledge, practices, and…

    OBJECTIVE:
    We examined California pediatric residents' knowledge, practices, and comfort of providing expedited partner therapy (EPT) for sexually transmitted infections, by postgraduate year of training and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship. We hypothesized that few residents are aware of EPT, and fewer are comfortable providing it; knowledge, practices, and comfort increase during residency; and presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship increases knowledge, practices, and comfort.
    METHODS:
    Online anonymous questionnaires were completed by pediatric residents from 14 California programs.
    RESULTS:
    Two hundred eighty-nine pediatric residents (41% response; mean age, 29.4 ± 2.7 years; 78% female) responded. Twenty-two percent reported being moderately or very familiar with EPT. Most correctly identified several EPT methods. Incorrectly identified as EPT included patient (55%), health department (42%), and provider (37%) referrals. Only 8% were aware of California's legal status regarding EPT. Sixty-nine percent knew that California law allows EPT for chlamydia and gonorrhea, but 38% incorrectly stated that EPT can be used to treat trichomoniasis. Fifty-two percent reported ever providing EPT, but 30% of them were uncomfortable doing so. Postgraduate year 1 residents were significantly more likely to report lack of experience as a barrier to prescribing EPT. Residents in programs with the presence of an adolescent medicine fellowship had significantly higher global knowledge scores and were more likely to practice EPT with fewer concerns.
    CONCLUSIONS:
    California pediatric residents have knowledge gaps and discomfort providing EPT, and the presence of adolescent medicine fellowship is associated with increased EPT knowledge, use, and comfort among residents. Our findings demonstrate a need to improve EPT education in pediatric residencies.

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  • IUDs and adolescents--an under-utilized opportunity for pregnancy prevention.

    J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol.

    Most pregnancies in adolescents are unintended and preventable if contraception were utilized. IUDs provide an under-utilized highly effective form of contraception. IUDs are appropriate for nulliparous women, including adolescents. IUDs do not increase: the incidence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease after the 1st month of insertion, the odds of infertility, nor rate of ectopic pregnancy. Adolesecnts need more education about and increased access to IUDs. Practical points regarding IUD selection…

    Most pregnancies in adolescents are unintended and preventable if contraception were utilized. IUDs provide an under-utilized highly effective form of contraception. IUDs are appropriate for nulliparous women, including adolescents. IUDs do not increase: the incidence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease after the 1st month of insertion, the odds of infertility, nor rate of ectopic pregnancy. Adolesecnts need more education about and increased access to IUDs. Practical points regarding IUD selection and insertion in adolescents are reviewed, including pain prophylaxis, anticipatory guidance, side effects and complications. In summary, IUDs are safe for contraception in most adolescents. IUDs are effective and eliminate the need for ongoing adherence and thus have the potential to decrease unplanned pregnancies.

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Honors & Awards

  • The Entreprenista 100, 2023

    Chase Ink & Entreprenista

  • #UCEntrepreneur 2018 Winner

    University of California Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

    UC's alumni entrepreneur campaign finalists were selected from a pool of contestants representing all 10 UC campuses. The 5 finalists pitched to Judges: Austin Noronha – Managing Director, Growth Ventures & Innovation at Sony, Marianne Wu – President, GE Ventures, Eileen Tanghal – Partner, In-Q-Tel. Pandia Health was selected as the winner and also won the top prize from sponsor Future Planet Capital to pitch at GCVI in UK.

  • Startup CEO of the Year, 2017

    Silicon Valley Business Journal

    Winners were selected based on score on contributions to company success, civic involvement, career achievement and more.

  • 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2017

    Goldman Sachs

  • StartX Accelerator S17

    StartX

    StartX is an educational non-profit that accelerates the development of Stanford's top entrepreneurs through experiential education and collective intelligence. Founders in the StartX community are carefully selected, and each session we welcome founders who are amazingly diverse, passionate, and talented. As members of StartX's thriving and supportive community, they help each other approach obstacles from different perspectives. They have studied medicine, engineering, business, humanities…

    StartX is an educational non-profit that accelerates the development of Stanford's top entrepreneurs through experiential education and collective intelligence. Founders in the StartX community are carefully selected, and each session we welcome founders who are amazingly diverse, passionate, and talented. As members of StartX's thriving and supportive community, they help each other approach obstacles from different perspectives. They have studied medicine, engineering, business, humanities, law, science, and more. This creation of an interdisciplinary environment contributes to our community norm of trust and information sharing.

  • Women's Startup Lab Accelerator Batch 12

    Women's Startup Lab

    Women’s Startup Lab is a leading accelerator for female founders. Over the past 4 years, we have graduated 11 batches with over 90+ alumnae. They have raised over $50 million with 3 high profile exits.

  • Winner of #Amplify Women's Pitch Night

    Girls in Tech

    Selected from 139 applications, pitched against 9 other companies, PandiaHealth won Girls in Tech's #Amplify Women's Pitch Night in San Francisco, CA.

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/deniserestauri/2016/11/13/women-taking-action-10-top-female-founded-tech-startups/#7377ca2162f8

  • Technology Innovation Hub Accelerator Class of 2016

    SpringBoard Enterprises

    selected from 135+ companies to join the 15 members of the Class of 2016 of SpringBoard Enterprises' Technology Innovation Hub
    https://sb.co/techhub2016/

  • Quora Top Writer 2016

    Quora

Languages

  • Spanish

    -

Organizations

  • American Academy of Pediatrics

    Member of the Executive Committee of the Section On Adolescent Health (2015-2018)

    - Present

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