Abstract
To investigate factors associated with favorable pregnancy attitudes among teenage girls. Participants were sexually active
teenage girls aged 15–18 years old (n = 965) who took part in the 2002 or 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG).
Multinomial multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of being pleased with a teenage pregnancy. Sixteen percent of sexually active teenage girls (n = 164) would be pleased (11 % a little pleased, 5 % very pleased) if they became pregnant. In a multivariable model, participants who had not yet
discussed sexual health topics (i.e., how to say no to sexual intercourse or birth control) or had only discussed birth control
with a parent were more likely to be very pleased with a teenage pregnancy than participants who had discussed both topics with a parent. Prior pregnancy, racial/ethnic group
status, older age, and having parents with a high school education or less also increased the odds of being pleased with a
teenage pregnancy. Being pleased with a teenage pregnancy was correlated with a lack of discussion of sexual health topics
with parents, prior pregnancy, and sociodemographic factors (having less educated parents, racial/ethnic group status). Pregnancy
prevention efforts can be improved by acknowledging the structural and cultural factors that shape teenage pregnancy attitudes.
teenage girls aged 15–18 years old (n = 965) who took part in the 2002 or 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG).
Multinomial multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of being pleased with a teenage pregnancy. Sixteen percent of sexually active teenage girls (n = 164) would be pleased (11 % a little pleased, 5 % very pleased) if they became pregnant. In a multivariable model, participants who had not yet
discussed sexual health topics (i.e., how to say no to sexual intercourse or birth control) or had only discussed birth control
with a parent were more likely to be very pleased with a teenage pregnancy than participants who had discussed both topics with a parent. Prior pregnancy, racial/ethnic group
status, older age, and having parents with a high school education or less also increased the odds of being pleased with a
teenage pregnancy. Being pleased with a teenage pregnancy was correlated with a lack of discussion of sexual health topics
with parents, prior pregnancy, and sociodemographic factors (having less educated parents, racial/ethnic group status). Pregnancy
prevention efforts can be improved by acknowledging the structural and cultural factors that shape teenage pregnancy attitudes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-1020-0
- Authors
- Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8134, 660 South Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Melissa J. Krauss, Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Edward L. Spitznagel, Department of Mathematics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Mario Schootman, Division of Health Behavior Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
- Linda B. Cottler, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
- Laura Jean Bierut, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8134, 660 South Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875