4293.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 5

Abstract #30368

Analysis of Teen Births in Los Angeles County

Shin Margaret Chao, PhD1, Diana Kurniawan, MPH1, and Kevin Donovan, MPH2. (1) Deparment of Health Services, (2) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, MCAH, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Analysis of Teen Births in Los Angeles

Abstract

Background - In 1998 Los Angeles alone, there were over 17,000 live births delivered by teen mothers aging 15 -19 years of age, which comprised of more than 95% of adolescent live births <19 years old. About one million American teenagers have children by the age of 20 years old while about 200,000 teenagers <17 years have children. Although 40 million were spent by some private organizations in California, yet the rate of teen births remains to be the highest nationwide. There is still a need to prevent teen pregnancy and births, as part of an effort to decrease the rate of teen pregnancy and births both globally and nationwide. Objectives - This study will assess trend analyses of race/ethnicity for 1990-1998, and identify risk factors relating to teen live births. Methods - We analyzed 1990-1998 California Birth Records & Vital Statistics. Population estimates were obtained from the Department of Finance for State, California1998. Data analyses were done with SAS statistical package using X2 (Chi Square) to show the association of teen birth and risk factors. Results - Preliminary results showed the following risk factors to be significantly associated with teen births: Race/ethnicity, utilization of prenatal care, trimester prenatal care, birthweight, and payment source for prenatal care. Implications and potential MCH intervention efforts will be addressed as related to the findings.

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Learning Objectives: 1. Learn the trend and risk factors associated with teen live births in Los Angeles County. 2. Learn the current Los Angeles MCH programs in effort to prevent teen pregnancy, and describe the effectiveness of family planning services. 3. Describe current and future collaborative efforts.

Keywords: Teen Pregnancy,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA