Teenage Pregnancy in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) and Beyond. Kim Henlotter Matt Schreckinger Sonia Varghese Heather Wiggin Robyn Wing

Transcription

1 Teenage Pregnancy in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) and Beyond Kim Henlotter Matt Schreckinger Sonia Varghese Heather Wiggin Robyn Wing

2 U.S. vs. International (2001)

3 Contributing Factors to High Pregnancy Rates in the U.S. Lack of Mandatory Comprehensive Sexual Education Less Access to Contraception, Abortion and Adoption Services Stigma Related to Adolescent Sexuality Lack of Straightforward Public Health Media Campaigns Restrictions on Teen Abortion (Emancipation Laws)

4 Massachusetts vs. National

5 Massachusetts vs. National

6 Worcester vs. other Massachusetts cities Birth Rate per 1000 Teens Springfield Lowell Lynn Worcester State Total U.S. Total Year

7 Poverty Comparison for Massachusetts Cities (2000 Census) Percent of Population Below Poverty Line *Highest Teen Birth Rate Springfield Lowell Lynn Worcester

8 Worcester demographics Median Household Income: $35,623 (1999) 18% of Population Below Poverty Line 15.6% Single Mother Household Race 71% White 15% Hispanic 7% African American 5% Asian 2000 Census

9 South High Community School: A Multicultural School with A Common Problem

10 South High Community School Approximately 1500 Students Race* 42% White 32% Hispanic 14% Asian 12% African American Last Year 40 Births among 600 Female Students (67 per 1000 teens, twice that of Worcester in general)** * **Personal Interview,

11 Worcester Median Household Income Breakdown This Low Income Area is Serviced By South High- This Shows a Correlation Between High Pregnancy Rate and Low Income

12 Reasons for Teen Pregnancy in Worcester: Socioeconomic Factors Cultural Acceptance among Ethnic Groups Maternal Role Model: Their moms were teens Improper Use of Contraceptives Low Self Esteem Sexual Abuse Rape

13 Reasons for Teen Pregnancy in Worcester: Educational Factors Political Influence on Sex Education Topics Focus on Abstinence No Contraception Distributed in Schools Middle Schools Not Required to Provide Sex Education (lack of funding) Lack of After School Activities High School Hours (7:20-1:45)

14 Pregnancy by CHOICE? Attention Received With Pregnancy and Motherhood Looking for Someone to Love Them Insurance Policy for Boyfriend to Stay See Motherhood as Best Option Psychological and Economic Support Provided by Schools and Agencies Personal Communication with Worcester Teen Moms

15 Current Prevention Pamphlets (Abstinence only: None directly related to contraception use and pregnancy prevention) Referral to Free Clinics Provide Contraception Information Sex Education Classes Promote Abstinence Discussion of Contraceptive Method

16 School Pamphlets

17 Pamphlets Available at South High Note Lack of Pregnancy and Contraception Related Pamphlets!

18 Sex Education 7 th grade WPS Curriculum *Not Available to all 7 th Grade Students

19 Sex Education 8 th grade WPS Curriculum *Not Available to all 8 th Grade Students

20 Sex Education 10 th grade WPS Curriculum *Student allowed to opt out per parent permission

21 Current School Support Services School Age Mothers Program In-School Daycare (Burncoat and South High Schools) In-School Parenting Classes Four Week Post-Partum In-Home Tutoring Free School Transportation for Mother and Child

22 Alternative School for Expecting and Post Partum Teen Mothers Located in the Granite Street School with the Comprehensive Skills Center Available to all Worcester Public School Students Currently 52 Female Students Majority of students in 11 th and 12 th grade Past students as young as 6 th grade Free Day Care Provided Child Growth and Development Class Parenting Class Follow Prenatal Care and Pediatric Visits

23 Current Community Support Services Y.O.U., Inc. Teen Parent Apartment Program 38 Teen Moms Assisted From June 2004 To June 2005* MassHealth & CHIP Free Health Clinics Great Brook Valley and Family Health Center Women Infants and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Planned Parenthood Problem Pregnancy (Pro-Life Agency) * Personal Communication

24 Community Agencies Problem Pregnancy Of Worcester WIC Program Planned Parenthood

25 Cost of Teen Pregnancy High cost of sustaining alternative programs Daycare, tutoring, transportation, etc. 53% of outlays for Aid to Families and Dependant Children, Food-stamps and Medicaid are attributable to households begun by teen births * Less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up on Welfare* Teen moms are more likely to have low birth weight babies* $20,000 in hospital costs Lifetime medical expenses can average $400,000 *Dudley, William. Pregnancy. Greenhaven Press Inc. San Diego, CA. 2001

26 Clerkship Question Is the Worcester Public School System Promoting Teen Pregnancy by Providing Extensive Support Services for Teenage Mothers while Neglecting Primary Prevention Efforts?

27 Potential Changes Increase or Shift Funding Toward Primary Prevention of Teen Pregnancy Provide Mandatory Sex Education in Middle School Shift Focus Away from Abstinence in High School Health Class Toward Safe Sexual Practices Distribution of Contraception Identifying and Targeting At-Risk Teens Change Hours of High School Such to Start and End Later Increasing Involvement of Girls in After School Activities Increasing Male Involvement Reporting and Following Cases of Statutory Rape Requiring Males to take Parenting Classes Also

28 Future Research Develop Comprehensive Registry of Teen Pregnancy Examine Cultural Influences on Teen Pregnancy Determine Age Range Most Vulnerable to Pregnancy in order to Focus Sex Ed Classes Appropriately Conduct Study on Improved Self Image and Pregnancy Rates Increased Involvement in After School Activities Increased Mentoring or Counseling Services

29 Acknowledgements School Nurses- South High, Granite St. School Nurse Practitioner- South High SAMS Staff and Students Y.O.U., Inc. Staff Donna Hoey, Director of WPS Nurses Robin Klar, GSN Faculty