Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116100

Kate E. Fothergill, PhD, Dept. of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 North Broadway, #707, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-614-3720, kfotherg@jhsph.edu and Debra Roter, DrPH, Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, 624 North Broadway, Room 750, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Although teen birth rates have continued to decline in recent years, the U.S. continues to have a higher teen birth rate than any other developed country. Adolescent childbearing can result in negative consequences for both the teen mothers as well as her children. Researchers have identified a number of factors that increase the risk of teen pregnancy, including poverty, family history of adolescent births, and childhood sexual and physical abuse. Yet, not all adolescents who experience such adversities engage in risky sexual activity or give birth to a child at a young age. Very few qualitative studies have been conducted to explore the beliefs and attitudes underlying teen behaviors. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the personal and contextual factors affecting teen pregnancy by conducting focus groups and interviews with adolescents and providers of adolescent services. The study was conducted in Essex, Maryland, a low-income, racially diverse community with high rate of teen pregnancy. Researchers conducted eight focus groups with teens and 16 individual interviews with adults. Both teens and adults suggested that teen pregnancy is related to socioeconomic conditions, the lack of community activities for adolescents, the lack of parental supervision, and the teens' need for love. The adults and adolescents had differing opinions on the quality of sex education in the schools and access to birth control. Participants provided recommendations for a multifaceted approach that addresses the personal and contextual factors underlying teen childbearing.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to
• describe at least five personal and contextual reasons for teen childbearng as perceived by adolescents,
• explain at least five reasons for teen childbearing as perceived by adolescent providers,
• identify ways to design teen pregnancy prevention programs according to recommendations from adolescents and their providers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.