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ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

Gain insights into adolescent pregnancy statistics, consequences for mothers and children, and effective prevention strategies to address this national priority. Explore risk factors, prevention categories, and other influencing factors. Take steps towards preventing teen pregnancies!

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ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

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  1. S U S ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY By Joanne E. Cox Reviewed by S. Jean Emans

  2. Adolescent Pregnancy Statistics • 1 Million pregnancies/year in girls < 20 years old • 500,000 births • 175,000 births to mothers < 17 years • 72% of these births are to single mothers

  3. Adolescent birth rate trends • Birth rates declined through the 1970s • Birth rates leveled off during the 1980s • Declining rates since 1991 • 1995 56.8 births/1000 to girls age 15-19

  4. US birth rates higher than other developed countries 1996 birth rates for 15-17 year olds Canada - 24.9/1000 US - 36/1000

  5. Consequences for the Children of Adolescent Mothers:

  6. Low-birthweight Infants • Risk increased for mothers <15 years old • Risk increased with poor prenatal care • Teen centered prenatal programs improve outcomes

  7. Childhood Health Problems • Receive less medical care and treatment • Increased risk for childhood accidents • Child abuse and neglect • Foster care

  8. Behavioral and School Issues • As infants, receive less verbalization • Do well as preschoolers • In school, increased behavioral problems • School dropout rates high • Cycle of teen childbearing

  9. Consequences for Adolescent Mothers • 30% teen mothers vs. 76% adult mothers earn a HS diploma by age 30 • Welfare reform now mandates school • Earning are not markedly different from their adult counterparts • Overall 50% increase in welfare dependency over time • Most single parents

  10. Risk Factors for Adolescent Pregnancy • Intro-familial factors • Parent who became pregnant during adolescence • Sibling who is a teen parent • Family dysfunction • Chronic multi-generational poverty • Personal beliefs

  11. Risk Factors for Adolescent Pregnancy(cont) • Social-cultural factors • Peers who are teen parents (cultural norms) • Educational failure • Hopelessness for the future • Depression • Pressure from young men who consider fatherhood equivalent to masculinity • History of sexual abuse

  12. Teen Pregnancy Prevention now a National Priority • National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy • formed by President Clinton in January 1996 • Multifaceted interventions are critical

  13. General Categories of Prevention • Abstinence based • Community/school-based which are improve knowledge • Skills building • Clinic based directed at contraceptive knowledge and availability • Media campaigns

  14. Important Caveats for Effective Strategies • Strong support from a responsible adult • Attention to basic cognitive skills and educational achievement • Attention to the world of work • Attention to the specific skills necessary to avoid pregnancy

  15. Other Factors which Influence Teen Pregnancy Risk • Roles of older males in teen pregnancy • Relationships between teen pregnancy-related behaviors and other risk behaviors • Sexual abuse associated with teen pregnancy

  16. Other Factors which Influence Teen Pregnancy Risk (cont) • Continuous media messages received by teens about sexuality and pregnancy • Shifts in social norms on out-of-wedlock pregnancies • General worsening of economic conditions for teens with more growing up in poverty

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