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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
3057.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 7
Abstract #50647
Influence of culture and values on teenage pregnancy rates in three developed countries: United States, Canada, and Italy
Sorina O. Vlaicu, MD, MPH, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-924-3445, svlaicu@gmu.edu
Abstract
This research paper builds on the conceptual framework of the problem behavior theory and its consequent expansions that explain the sexual behavior of adolescent women. A complex model of attitudes, beliefs, values, and policy decisions was constructed in the attempt to account for the differences in teenage pregnancy rates among three developed countries: United States, Canada, and Italy. Data used to assess attitudes and beliefs prevalent in each of the three countries were obtained from the most recent release of the World Value Survey. Teenage pregnancy rates and other demographic data were drown from the World Health Organization publicly available databases, while national health institutions in each country provided information on existing sexual education or family planning programs targeting adolescents, as well as the funding provided for each of these types of interventions. Due to the complexity of data obtained from various sources, a cross-tabulate analysis including frequency counts and associated statistics was attempted first, to identify factors with potential influence on adolescent pregnancy rates. Second, the model as a whole was tested for significance using a multivariate regression analysis with rate of teenage pregnancy as dependent variable and a group of dummy or continuous independent variables, obtained by recoding attitudes, beliefs, program and expenditure information tabulated in the first step of the analysis.
Learning Objectives:
Abstract. This research paper builds on the conceptual framework of the problem behavior theory and its consequent expansions that explain the sexual behavior of adolescent women. A complex model of attitudes, beliefs, values, and policy decisions was constructed in the attempt to account for the differences in teenage pregnancy rates among three developed countries United States, Canada, and Italy. Data used to assess attitudes and beliefs prevalent in each of the three countries were obtained from the most recent release of the World Value Survey. Teenage pregnancy rates and other demographic data were drown from the World Health Organization publicly available databases, while national health institutions in each country provided information on existing sexual education or family planning programs targeting adolescents, as well as the funding provided for each of these types of interventions. Due to the complexity of data obtained from various sources, a cross-tabulate analysis including frequency counts and associated statistics was attempted first, to identify factors with potential influence on adolescent pregnancy rates. Second, the model as a whole was tested for significance using a multivariate regression analysis with rate of teenage pregnancy as dependent variable and a group of dummy or continuous independent variables, obtained by recoding attitudes, beliefs, program and expenditure information tabulated in the first step of the analysis. -
- Learning objectives.
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- This research paper is intended to emphasize the major role of the community, through its culture and values, on public health outcomes, exemplified by teenage pregnancy rates. Participants will acquire a broader view of the adolescent pregnancy issue, and valuable information about beliefs, attitudes, policies and interventions in three developed countries
United States, Canada, and Italy. - Therefore, participants are expected to
- 1. Recognize that public health interventions cannot be implemented in a vacuum, and that their success depends on the specifics of the population they are targeted to.
- 2. Identify a multitude of factors that can influence the sexual behavior of teenagers and describe particularities of public health interventions, culture, and values of each of the three countries under analysis.
- At the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to
- 1. Describe the complex model built on the problem behavior theory.
- 2. Discuss the differences between the 3 countries analyzed.
- 3. Develop public health interventions to reduce teenage pregnancy rates taking into account all factors that stimulate or impede a behavioral change among adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Behavior Modification
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.
New Developments in International Reproductive Health Programs
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA