Teen Pregnancy

Analytical Essay # 105538

Child, Youth Issues > Teen, Adult Issues
Medical and Health > Public Health Issues

Teen Pregnancy

A discussion on the epidemiology approach to studying the phenomenon of teen pregnancy.

1,210 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses data from various sources including the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBSS) by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which provides current data every two years about the prevalence of health risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors of high school students' grades 9-12. The author points out that distribution, determinants, negative and positive outcomes and prevention programs are all included in current epidemiological studies. The paper also relates that the surveillance of prevention programs are conducted periodically to provide data to improve prevention programs such as polling parents to gather data for future curriculum changes in pregnancy prevention.

Table of Contents:
Epidemiological Data Collection
Elements of Epidemiology
Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Current Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Statistics
Future Considerations for Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The initial data collected for epidemiological studies in teen pregnancy mostly identified the issue and collected information about the risk factors and participants. Program evaluation is a continuous process of measuring effectiveness of programs. Prevention programs should include content to address primary prevention, or preventing first time pregnancies, and secondary prevention, or unplanned pregnancies occurring after the first pregnancy."

Sample of Sources Used:

McCave, E. L., (2007) Comprehensive Sexuality Education vs. Abstinence-Only Sexuality Education: The Need for Evidence-Based Research and Practice. School Social Work Journal, Vol. 32, No. 1.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention: No Easy Answers. (1997 March) Retrieved April 13, 2008 from http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/data/report_summaries/no_easy_answers
Kirby, D. (2008) Answers are emerging for "walking encyclopedia". Contemporary Sexuality, Vol. 42, No. 9