This document discusses teen pregnancy rates in the United States. It notes that in 2011, Hispanic adolescent females ages 15-19 had the highest birth rate. Teen childbearing costs U.S. taxpayers billions annually. Teen pregnancy is associated with lower educational attainment, employment prospects, and higher rates of poverty and reliance on public assistance. The teen pregnancy rate in the U.S. remains the highest in the developed world. The document examines contributing individual, social, and family factors as well as prevention and intervention strategies.

1. Roxanne Cariaga
Hui-Seung Jung
Valerie Lodevico
Yvette Tellez

4. In 2011, Hispanic
adolescent females
ages 15-19 had the
highest birth rate,
followed by black
adolescent females
and white
adolescent females

5.  New economic research by the National
Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned
Pregnancy shows that teen childbearing cost
taxpayers $10.9 billion in 2008

6.  U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate
in the world
 Less likely to complete high school
 Less likely to attend college
 Less likely to obtain a high paying job
 Socioeconomic factors
 Limited life options
 Nearly 80% of teen mothers end up on
welfare
 25% have a second birth before their 20’s

7.  Failure to complete high school
 Loss or potential loss of family support
 Child support
 Government support
 Impoverished life style
 Employment
 Social class

8.  Denial
 Narcissim
 Guilt
 Self-esteem issues
 Thoughts or acts of committing suicide
 Low educational aspirations
 Emotional and intellectual maturity

9.  Personal Responibility Education Program
(PREP)
 Title V State Abstinence Education Grant
Program
 Pregnancy Assistance Fund
 Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPP)

10.  30% of teen girls who dropped out of high
school say pregnancy or parenthood is the
reason
 38% of teen girls who have a child before
18 receive a high school diploma by 22
 67% teen mothers who no longer live with
their parents live below the poverty level
 63% of teen mothers receive some type of
public benefit the first year after their
child is born.
 Has MTV’s, “16 and Pregnant” become a
good influence?

11.  In 2011, 329,797 babies born to women aged 15-19
 Record low
 8% drop from 2010

12.  Poor Prenatal Care-
 Preterm Labor or Prolonged Labor-
 Anemia-
 Pregnancy Induced Hypertension-
 STI’s & HIV-
 Depression, Shame, Guilt, and Stress-
 Premature Labor-
 Complications (Death)-

13. Individual
 Drug and alcohol use
 Lack of knowledge about Sex
& Negative Attitude about using
contraception
 Lack of goals for the future
 Low self-esteem
 Poor school performance &
Limited Education
 Having sex at a young age
 Being the victim of sexual abuse
 Ambivalence about having a child
 Puberty began at an early age
 Older sibling is sexually active
 Lack of spiritual life
 High divorce rates / violent rates/
suicide rates/ High school drop
outs
 Low community income
 Lack of community coordinated
programs for youth and policies
that deal with school failure,
dropout rates, job opportunities,
social support, and positive
educational and recreational
activities

14. Social
 Pressure from peers
to have sex
 Dating at an early age
& older guys who is
3-5 years older
 Friends who are
sexually active
 Poor Peer Relationship
Family
 Poor parental supervision &
Lack of Positive Parenting
 Limited communication
between parents and teen
 Negative family
interactions
 Single-parent families/
Single mother’s dating
behaviors
 Significant unresolved
conflict between family
members

15.  Knowledge of sexual issues, HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy
(including methods of prevention).
 Perception of HIV risk.
 Personal values about sex and abstinence.
 Attitudes toward condoms (pro and con).
 Perception of peer norms and behavior about sex.
 Individual ability to refuse sex and to use condoms.
 Intent to abstain from sex or limit number of partners.
 Communication with parents or trusted adults about sex,
condoms, and contraception.
 Individual ability to avoid HIV/STD risk and risk behaviors.
 Avoidance of places and situations that might lead to sex.
 Intent to use a condom.

16. Primary
-Sex education
-Delaying or halting participation in sexual activity
-Providing access to contraception and sufficient
knowledge and skills to use contraception
appropriately
-Strengthening life goals and encouraging long-
term
planning

17. Secondary Tertiary
- Early Detection
- Pregnancy Options: Assess for…
1)adoption
2)keeping the baby
3)abortion
- Prevention of additional
adolescent pregnancies
- Support of positive parent-
infant interaction
- Support groups for
adolescent parents
- Programs that support the
adolescents while they
pursue educational goal
- Long term child
development education
and parenting classes

18.  Liaisons
 Birth Choice Health Clinics
 Mary’s Shelter
 Educator
 Prenatal care
 Medical conditions

19.  Assessment
 Health and safety
 Policy Development
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSiGBtljIU
 Assurance
 MCAH

20.  Birth Choice Health Clinics
 Full licensed free community care clinic
 Mary’s Shelter
 Safe and loving home for pregnant teens
 Teen Options
 Drug and alcohol

21.  Options/alternatives for continued education
 Shelters