The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37877

Nancy Goldfarb, MSW¹, Virginia McCarter, PhD¹, Helen Cagampang, PhD¹, Claire Brindis, DrPH¹, and Kathryn Shack, PhD, MPH². (1) Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California at San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936, 415-476-6594, nlgold@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Office of Family Planning, Office of Community Challenge Grants, 714 P Street, Room 576, Sacramento, CA 95814

Introduction: In 1999, through a statewide competitive process, the California Department of Health Services funded 134 Community Challenge Grant (CCG) projects to reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies, increase fathers’ involvement, and promote responsible parenting.

Objective: This study explores baseline differences in risk and sexual behaviors in teens participating in CCG by geographic context (rural vs. urban), age, ethnicity, and gender.

Methodology: A sample of 1168 adolescents from nine rural agencies and 1767 adolescents from twelve urban agencies completed a survey measuring attitudes and behaviors about sex. All agencies were located in “hot spots,” areas with teen birth rates significantly higher than the state rate.

Results: Baseline survey results showed significant differences in risk and sexual behaviors in teens participating in CCG by geographic context (rural vs. urban), independent of age, ethnicity, and gender. For example, Latino rural teens (compared to Latino urban teens) had more risk factors such as family fights and substance use; White rural teens (compared to White urban teens) had more sexual partners. Demographically, rural youth were White (53%), Multi-ethnic (19%), and Latino (14%), and urban youth were Latino (39%), Multi-ethnic (20%), and African American (18%).

Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that, in addition to age, gender, and ethnicity, geographic context itself may play a role in teen birth rates. Findings from this study suggest that a better understanding of contextual factors could assist health providers to target pregnancy prevention interventions more effectively.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

(
• Identify baseline differences in demographics, risk behaviors, and sexual behaviors where urban and rural teens differ, controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity. (
• Explore the relationships between risk factors and sexual behaviors. (
• Discuss the implications of targeted teenage pregnancy prevention programs.

Keywords: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Community Preventive Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Evaluator for CCG