CONTRACEPTIVE ADVERTISING

In a poll by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 86% of adults surveyed supported airing of information about HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and 73% favored condoms being discussed on television. There is no evidence that increased sexual knowledge or increased access to birth control affects the likelihood of adolescents having sexual intercourse at a younger age. Four recent studies have found that allowing access to condoms in school-based clinics did not affect rates of sexual activity but did increase use of condoms with intercourse.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (PEDIATRICS Jan 2001: Volume: 104, Issue: 1.)

HOW WIDESPREAD IS TEEN PREGNANCY?

In 2000, one in 25 of Washington State’s teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17 became pregnant; one in 50 had a baby (2,559 births). This age group is important because: 1) they are of school age and 2) the 15-17 year old group are at the highest risk for poor birth outcomes.

The pregnancy rate* for 15 to 17 year old teens in Washington State has been declining since the late 1980s. The abortion rate has also declined.

WHO IS AT HIGH RISK FOR TEEN PREGNANCY?

Early sexual behavior among teens may be influenced by many complex factors such as poor quality family relationships, non-voluntary sexual experiences, poverty, lack of supportive adult role models, and negative outlook on the future. These influences may also interact with other factors such as substance use, risky sexual behaviors (e.g., multiple partners, poor contraceptive use), and low academic achievement.

WHAT ARE THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF TEEN PREGNANCY?

Early prenatal care is vital for detecting pregnancy risks and assuring healthy birth outcomes. In Washington State in 1995, girls 17 and younger giving birth received late or no prenatal care almost 3 times more often than women 20 years and older.

Infants born to teen mothers are one and a third times more likely to be born prematurely, and 50 percent more likely to be low birthweight babies (under 5.5 pounds).

Low birthweight and prematurity raise the probability of a number of adverse conditions, including infant death, blindness, deafness, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

WHAT ARE THE SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF TEEN PREGNANCY?

Children born to single teenage mothers "are more likely to drop out of school, to give birth out of wedlock, to divorce or separate, and to become dependent on welfare, compared to children with older parents." Sons of adolescent mothers are almost 3 times more likely to be incarcerated than sons of mothers who delay childbearing until older.

In addition to its personal impact on the lives of women and children, teen pregnancy results in tremendous public cost. From 1985 to 1990, public cost related to teenage childbearing totaled $120.3 billion, which includes AFDC, Medicaid, and food stamps.

Some studies have identified a large proportion of teen pregnancies fathered by adult men; other studies show an association between childhood sexual victimization and earlier onset of voluntary sexual activity and other health compromising attitudes and behaviors.

* Number of pregnancies per 1,000 female population in 15-17 age group. Includes live births, late pregnancy losses >20 weeks gestation, and abortions.

Sources: Washington State DOH, Adolescent Sex, Contraception and Childbearing: A Review of Recent Research, Child Trends, Inc., Kids Having Kids, A Robin Hood Foundation Special Report on the Cost of Adolescent Childbearing, Single Mothers and Their Children, The Urban Institute, Adolescent Motherhood: Implications for the Juvenile Justice System, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevent, Childhood Abuse, How Does It Affect Adult Personality and Behavior, NOAPPP Network.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT TEEN PREGNANCY

Myth: Teens want to become pregnant.

Fact: Most teens do not want to become pregnant. In a study of inner city teens, pregnant teens were asked, "Before you thought you were pregnant, did you want to be pregnant?" A full 88% did not. Upon further questioning, it was found that nearly half of the teens unequivocally did not want to be pregnant. Only 4.9% definitely wanted to be pregnant. The rest expressed ambivalence.

Myth: Most single parents are teens.

Fact: The majority of single mothers are over 19. The total number of non-marital births to women of all ages in the U.S. has risen markedly over time. Non-marital births have become a more common phenomenon among older women while the proportion of all non-marital births accounted for by teens has declined (from 50% in 1970 to 30% in 1991.)

Myth: Most welfare recipients are unwed teenagers.

Fact: In Washington, only 5.9% of AFDC recipients (heads of households) are under 20 years old. Only 1% are under 18. The average AFDC family is a 29 year old woman with two children.

Myth: Adolescent males are responsible for most of the teen pregnancies

Fact: Most fathers of children born to teen mothers are over 20. A national survey in which 63% of cases established paternity, 70% of children born to teen mothers were fathered by men over the age of 20.

Myth: Most teen mothers are African American.

Fact: The greatest number of teens giving birth are white. Although the teen birth rate is highest within the African American community, all ethnic groups are experiencing an increase in teen birth rates. The greatest increases are within the Hispanic community.

Source: Advancing Solutions to Adolescent Pregnancy (ASAP)

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