Factors Associated With Repeat Teen Pregnancy Prevention Among Teen Mothers During 1996 And 2002 Using Longitudinal Survey Of Adolescent Health Data
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Date
2009
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Public Health and Policy
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Doctor of Public Health
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This item is made available by Morgan State University for personal, educational, and research purposes in accordance with Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Other uses may require permission from the copyright owner.
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Abstract
Adolescent childbearing and pregnancy are important social and public health issues. According to Darroch et al. (2001), birth rates for United States (U.S.) teenagers continue to be higher than the rates for teens in most other developed countries Furthermore, according to Childtrends (2006, 2001, 2007) the proportion of teen births that were repeat has been relatively consistent (21-19%) from 1999 to 2005. Studies state that a teen can finish high school, develop vocational skills and become self-sufficient by delaying additional pregnancies during the teen years. This study conducted a secondary analysis of restricted data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to determine which factors are associated with the prevention of a repeat teen pregnancy. The core sample included females from Wave II with at least one birth prior to age 19 (teen mothers). Then, this sample of teen mothers was divided into two sub samples of teen mothers, one who did not have any additional pregnancies prior to age 20 and the second who had additional pregnancies prior to age 20 between Waves II and III. This study assessed the relationship between several demographic, psychosocial and behavioral factors among teen mothers. Discrete time-series analyses using Stata statistical software were performed to examine the factors contributing to the prevention of repeat teen pregnancy. The results of the study showed that having high spirituality and a medium positive attitude towards pregnancy/childbearing were protective and showed a decreased risk for a repeat teen pregnancy. These findings could be used to develop interventions that include spirituality and other protective factors such as: continuing in school, participating in vocational training, addressing teen mothers' attitudes toward pregnancy and childbearing, consistently using contraceptives, initiating the program early in the post partum period and having program staff that is able to connect with the teen mother. Interventions may work collaboratively with faith communities which are good resources that have access to methods to practice spirituality and influence values.