Teenage Pregnancy in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) and Beyond
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Teenage Pregnancy in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) and Beyond Kim Henlotter Matt Schreckinger Sonia Varghese Heather Wiggin Robyn Wing U.S. vs. International (2001) www.massteenpregnancy.org/data/international.html 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) www.plannedparenthood.org Massachusetts vs. National www.massteenpregnancy.org/data/birth_mass.html Massachusetts vs. National www.massteenpregnancy.org/data/birth_mass.html Worcester vs. other Massachusetts cities 100 Birth Rate per 1000 Teens 90 80 70 Springfield Lowell Lynn Worcester State Total U.S. Total 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1992 2001 Year www.massteenpregnancy.org www.teenpregnancy.org 2002 Poverty Comparison for Massachusetts Cities (2000 Census) Percent of Population Below Poverty Line 25 *Highest Teen Birth Rate 20 15 10 5 0 Springfield Lowell Lynn Worcester 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 South High Community School: A Multicultural School with A Common Problem 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)** *www.publicschoolreview.com **Personal Interview, 10-12-05 Worcester Median Household Income Breakdown This Low Income Area is Serviced By South HighThis Shows a Correlation Between High Pregnancy Rate and Low Income http://factfinder.census.gov 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 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) 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 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 School Pamphlets Pamphlets Available at South High Note Lack of Pregnancy and Contraception Related Pamphlets! Sex Education 7th grade WPS Curriculum *Not Available to all 7th Grade Students www.wpsweb.com Sex Education 8th grade WPS Curriculum *Not Available to all 8th Grade Students www.wpsweb.com Sex Education 10th grade WPS Curriculum *Student allowed to opt out per parent permission www.wpsweb.com 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 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 11th and 12th grade Past students as young as 6th grade Free Day Care Provided Child Growth and Development Class Parenting Class Follow Prenatal Care and Pediatric Visits Current Community Support Services Y.O.U., Inc. MassHealth & CHIP Free Health Clinics – Great Brook Valley and Family Health Center Women Infants and Children (WIC) Teen Parent Apartment Program 38 Teen Moms Assisted From June 2004 To June 2005* Food and Nutrition Planned Parenthood Problem Pregnancy (Pro-Life Agency) * Personal Communication Community Agencies Problem Pregnancy Of Worcester WIC Program Planned Parenthood 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 Clerkship Question Is the Worcester Public School System Promoting Teen Pregnancy by Providing Extensive Support Services for Teenage Mothers while Neglecting Primary Prevention Efforts? 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 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 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
