9 ways to prevent teenage pregnancy 9 ways to prevent teenage pregnancy

Follow-up of 93 percent of the 349 participants at 21 years showed that students in the intervention group had their first sexual experience later than students in the control group (16.3 years versus 15.8 years; P < .05), fewer lifetime sex partners (3.6 versus 4.1; P < .05), and fewer pregnancies (38 percent versus 56 percent; P < .05). Were you sexually active before you were married? For copies of the complete report, contact APCW, 1316 3rd Street Promenade, Suite B-5, Santa Monica, CA: 90401 (310)395-0098. Grade Levels: 9-12. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a New York-based obstetrician-gynecologist, says, Teenage pregnancy is a social issue because it affects not only the teenage parents and their children, but also the wider society. Overall, however, only 69 percent of teenage males used condoms consistently.49 Knowledge about condoms and contraceptives does not appear to encourage initial or consistent use.51 For an adolescent boy, the primary motivating factors for condom use include not only pregnancy and STD prevention, but also partner desires, his perception of his ability to use condoms (condom use self-efficacy), and peer perceptions about condoms.52, Several medical organizations endorse efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy and STDs. Some effective programs are: 1. There are many options to choose from to prevent pregnancy. The only certain way to avoid unwanted pregnancies is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Male and female condoms are the only. You can use internal condoms for vaginal sex and anal sex. According to a large research review published earlier this year, the most effective programs to prevent teen pregnancies include two key components: education and access to contraception . ) or Around 14% of girls in developing countries, such as Afghanistan, India, Kenya, and Nepal, are married before 15. (302) 831-2501. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants are the most effective reversible methods. Let each child know he/she is one of a kindand priceless. LARC use among teens ages 15-19 seeking birth control at Title X-funded centers. It will be much easier for you to talk with your child if you have thought through these questions: 2. Birth control falls into two broad categories: reversible and permanent. Compared with nonpregnant adolescents, teenage mothers are less likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to score below average in language and reading skills.7,8 These teenagers also are more likely to have low self-esteem and symptoms of depression.9,10 Many of them have behavior and substance-abuse problems and lack the resources to fully foster the emotional development and enrichment of their childrens lives.1113, Children of adolescent mothers are at greater risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, child abuse, neglect, poverty, and death.1417 They are more likely to have behavior disorders and difficulties in school, and to engage in substance abuse.18,19 In 1996, the poverty rate among children born to teenage mothers was 42 percent, twice that of the overall rate in children.20 The infant mortality rate (i.e., deaths in infants younger than one year per 1,000 live births) is higher in children of teenage mothers than in other children.21, All Americans are affected by adolescent pregnancy. Offer a broad range of birth control options to teens, including LARC, and discuss the pros and cons of each. Be specific. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. About 8 in 10 (83%) teens did not receive sex education before they first had sex. Are there kids your age who have started dating? Parents should stop behaving like 'parents' round the clock. Discourage early, frequent and steady dating. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. 1 Sawhill, I. V., & Guyot, K. (2019). Many of these strategies are implemented at the family and community level. Supervise and monitor your childrens activities. Youth social development programs target social and psychologic skills that are necessary to avoid high-risk behaviors such as early sexual activity. Provide confidential, respectful, and culturally appropriate services that meet the needs of teen clients. The Annie E. Casey Foundation22 reports that more than 75 percent of teenage mothers receive public assistance within five years of delivering their first child. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Vital Signs Issue details: Trends in Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Teens Aged 1519 Years Seeking Contraceptive Services United States, 20052013, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Health Care Providers and Teen Pregnancy Prevention, CDC Contraceptive Guidance for Health Care Providers, Prevention Status Reports (PSRs): Teen Pregnancy, Vital Signs Preventing Teen Pregnancy [PODCAST 1:15 minutes], Vital Signs Preventing Teen Pregnancy [PSA 0:60 seconds], National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Ask and advise all adolescents about contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Teen pregnancy can be effectively addressed when educational programs focus on boys and girls. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals can. Many prevention programs are designed to reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. In one evaluation of TOP, 695 high school students from diverse backgrounds were randomized by classroom to TOP or no intervention. March 2016. call-to-action.pdf (213.17 KB) Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice. 4. These programs operate on the premise that adolescents who delay sexual activity have high educational aspirations, peers with similar norms, and parent-child relationships characterized by supervision, support, and open communication.23. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they usually occur in poor communities lacking education and employment. Preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies would appear to require either reduced exposure to risk (that is, sexual intercourse) or effective contraceptive use. Let your children know that they can talk with you about whatever they are thinking or worrying about. Contraception. Lock It is the bank account that will help you through the inevitable rough patches ahead. Although the pregnancy rate in adolescents has declined steadily in the past 10 years, it remains a major public health problem with lasting repercussions for the teenage mothers, their infants and families, and society as a whole. Talk with a health care provider to learn about the best types of birth control for them, and use it and condoms correctly every time. Do your best to be an askable parent. Successful strategies to prevent adolescent pregnancy include community programs to improve social development, responsible sexual behavior education, and improved contraceptive counseling and delivery. Talk openly to parents or other trusted adults and ask how they can get birth control if they choose to be sexually active. Method 1 Preventing Pregnancy as a Teen Download Article 1 Educate yourself about pregnancy. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Teenagers play an important role in society. As a result, the United States needs a number of initiatives to reduce its teenage pregnancy rate and Help them see how becoming a parent can derail the best of plans. Change the social norms that create a difference between genders. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Engage adolescents in confidential, open, and nonjudgmental discussions independent of caregivers. Are they safe? To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. Early marriage leads to early pregnancy and poor reproductive health. This includes those who are legally considered adults in their country. Adapted from information prepared for Oregon State University Extension by Dr. Jan Hare, and from materials by Lawrence Altman, Eleanor Macklin, Karen Pittman and the national PTA. Know where your children are at all times. What are the causes of teenage pregnancy? means youve safely connected to the .gov website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Contraception should be easily accessible to teenagers. Try setting a limit of no more than a 2 - year age difference. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. It can lead to higher poverty rates, increased healthcare costs, and decreased economic productivity. Physicians are encouraged to engage all young peopleboys and girlsin open, nonjudgmental, and confidential discussions during regular office visits. Would you like to talk about these subjects with me and your parents?, Recommended to be used in addition to another contraceptive; only method that decreases STD, HIV risk, Breakthrough bleeding, nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, Decrease in: PID risk, ectopic pregnancy risk, menstrual blood loss, dysmenorrhea, acne, Irregular bleeding, breast tenderness, depression, Combination contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra), Breakthrough bleeding, nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, skin site reaction, less effective if patient is >90 kg (198 lb), Combined hormonal vaginal ring (NuvaRing), Monthly (insert for 3 weeks of each month), Vaginal irritation, vaginal discharge, headache, Irregular bleeding or amenorrhea, weight gain, breast tenderness, acne, depression, possible decrease in bone density, Copper-containing intrauterine device (ParaGard), Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena), Breakthrough bleeding in first 3 to 6 months, then hypo- or amenorrhea, Combined hormonal monthly injection (Lunelle) ||, Better cycle control and quicker return to fertility than progestin-only injection, Single-rod contraceptive implant (Implanon)||, Irregular bleeding or amenorrhea, weight gain, breast tenderness, acne, depression, Two doses of 100 mcg of ethinyl estradiol plus 0.5 mg of levonorgestrel (Plan B), taken 12 hours apart. Monitor the type of content children watch, read, or listen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Educate them on topics, such as HIV, STDs, and contraception. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Discuss normal physical, emotional, and sexual development with teens and parents. Heres how you know. More than 7 in 10 (76%) spoke to their parents about birth control or about not having sex. How will I know when Im ready to get married? Most teenagers decide to delay having sex until they are older. Fact, Title X Guidance: Frequently Asked Questions, Fact Sheet: Final Title X Rule Detailing Family Planning Grant Program, Comparison of 2000 and 2019 Title X Regulations, Current TPP Research & Evaluation Grantees, Making Proud Choices! Whats the difference between love and sex? In the intensive training arm, teachers and parents received annual training in proactive classroom management, problem-solving skills, child behavior management, and drug use prevention in adolescents. In India (close to Delhi), recruiters held three annual sessions for young women in 80 villages and informed them about employment opportunities and strategies for applying for jobs. Teach your children to think critically; talk with them about what they are learning from the programs they watch and the music they listen to. Program characteristics that are important in reducing risky sexual behaviors by teenagers are summarized in Table 1.29, Health care professionals can play a key role in improving contraception use and STD prevention. People wait until they are ready to take responsibility before having a child. Normal sexual development, and how and when to say no to sex. A Series for Parents of School-Aged Youth. They are also an outcome of child marriage, limited knowledge of contraception, inability to get contraceptives, and sexual violence (2). Some methods are more effective than others, and no one product is best for everyone. Title X Statutes, Regulations, and Legislative Mandates, Embryo Adoption Awareness and Services (EAA) Program, Compliance with Statutory Program Integrity Requirements, Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program Evaluations, Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Program Evaluations, Youth Create! Letting your children know ahead of time will help them see that you are not reacting to a particular person or invitation. They may also indulge in unprotected sexual activity due to peer pressure (3). Providers may lack awareness about the safety and effectiveness of LARC for teens. Recognize LARC as a safe and effective choice of birth control for teens. Hug your kids and tell them how much you love them every day. http://nahic.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/HCR_Issue_Brief_Aug2010_Final_Aug31.pdf back to top, 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 9 Ways to Avoid Pregnancy Contraception Don't miss a dose Be on time Double up Use condoms correctly Track your ovulation Emergency contraception Think long term Go permanent Take a. Talk with their teens about sex, including: encouraging them to use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, along with condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Know your childrens friends and their families. Studies of other abstinence-only programs also have failed to show significant improvement in self-reported rates of intercourse or pregnancy.29 However, the evidence is inconclusive because most of the published studies have major design weaknesses (e.g., small sample size, no comparison group, nonrandom assignment, high attrition rate, inadequate follow-up). A growing body of evidence tells us what works in preventing teenage pregnancy. Visit, Find HHS-funded teen pregnancy prevention programs in your area. Try to have at least one family meal together each day. Results of larger, more rigorous studies are expected. Ask about the relationship between the patient and the parents, and about their views on dating and sexual activity. Brookings Institution. Efforts are currently under way to explore strategies to reduce teen childbearing and its associated challenges for parents, children, and society.