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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
David J. Reynen, MPH, MPPA, Carrie J. Florez, BSW, Eugene R. Takahashi, PhD, MPH, and Gilberto F. Chavez, MD, MPH. Maternal and Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 499, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-657-2893, DReynen@dhs.ca.gov
Background: This paper describes a process of producing/using maps of California census tracts with statistically elevated teen (15-19) birth rates to maximize State/local prevention efforts. Methods: (1) The State produced the following resource. Numerators (N): 103,249 of 112,178 (92.0%) births to residents, aged 15 through 19 during 1999-2000, were acceptably geocoded into 7,049 census tracts. Denominators (D): Census 2000 provided census-tract-specific counts of females. Rate (R): When possible, a teen birth rate was calculated for each census tract: R=1000N/2D. Each “stable” (Relative Standard Error <23) rate (n=2,077) was tested for statistical significance compared to the State rate (43.8 per 1,000), as follows: (a) The State rate was considered constant. (b) A 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was placed around each “stable” tract rate. (c) Census tracts were considered significantly elevated if the State rate lay both outside of and below the tract-specific CI. (d) These statistically elevated tract-specific rates (n=1,403) were highlighted on maps and presented in tables. (2) The resource was distributed to 1,500 persons from organizations wanting to set up prevention programs. Results: The resource, displaying elevated teen birth rate tracts, was well received. The organizations use the maps to focus and refine their efforts and secure funding. Conclusions: In California, a large, diverse state with 50,000+ teen births annually, innovative efforts are needed locally to better address the continuing concern of teen childbearing. This project is an example of how the State can partner with local organizations to target prevention efforts and leverage additional funds for such efforts.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives
Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.