251180 Knowing your plan is just one click away

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 3:10 PM

Jane Key, MPA , Division of Women and Children's Services, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, SC
  
     
Adolescents exhibit a great need for preconception health education because a disparity exists between adolescent women and other women of reproductive age. Older adolescents often participate in risky behaviors that can compromise their general health as well as their reproductive health. Unfortunately, the preconception health information that is available has not been integrated into existing health messages and a disconnect exists between preconception health and adolescent pregnancy prevention. This disparity and need for preconception health education is evident in South Carolina because the state ranks 11th in the nation in teen birth rates. From 2004 to 2007, South Carolina's African American teen pregnancy rate increased by 17% while the Caucasian pregnancy rate increased by 6%. Two-thirds of all teen pregnancies in the state occur among 18-19 year olds with one-third of those being second pregnancies. To address this issue and preconception health information needs, SC DHEC, SC DOE, and the SC Campaign collaborated to develop a youth-focused website with comprehensive health information. Literature reviews and focus groups were conducted to identify health topics for inclusion and how to convey messages. Health professionals and youth reviewed the content. In addition, youth tested the website and gave feedback on ease of use, relevancy of information, etc. The content will continue to be improved and expanded, and the success of the website will be evaluated by the number of website hits, tweets, and Facebook friends as well as the placement of website promotional materials in health centers, colleges, and youth gathering points.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify ways of reaching the adolescent population with health messages 2. Discuss methods of partnering for effective collaboration 3. Discuss methods of developing a culturally encompassing product

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold an MPA and Certificate of Public Health Practice from the University of South Carolina. I am qualified because I have held the position for Women’s Health Director at the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control for over 3 years. In my previous life, I was the Executive Director of a 24/7 crisis hotline and a crisis line for teens answered by teens. I am qualified because I have held the position for Women’s Health Director at the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control for over 3 years. In my previous life, I was the Executive Director of a 24/7 crisis hotline and a teen crisis line for teens answered by teens.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Minority Communities and Preconception Health
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