Abstract
To study teen birth rates, trends, and socio-demographic and pregnancy characteristics of AI/AN across geographic regions
in the US. The birth rate for US teenagers 15–19 years reached a historic low in 2009 (39.1 per 1,000) and yet remains one
of the highest teen birth rates among industrialized nations. In the US, teen birth rates among Hispanic, non-Hispanic black,
and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are consistently two to three times the rate among non-Hispanic white teens.
Birth certificate data for females younger than age 20 were used to calculate birth rates (live births per 1,000 women) and
joinpoint regression to describe trends in teen birth rates by age (<15, 15–17, 18–19) and region (Aberdeen, Alaska, Bemidji,
Billings, California, Nashville, Oklahoma, Portland, Southwest). Birth rates for AI/AN teens varied across geographic regions.
Among 15–19-year-old AI/AN, rates ranged from 24.35 (California) to 123.24 (Aberdeen). AI/AN teen birth rates declined from
the early 1990s into the 2000s for all three age groups. Among 15–17-year-olds, trends were approximately level during the
early 2000s–2007 in six regions and declined in the others. Among 18–19-year-olds, trends were significantly increasing during
the early 2000s–2007 in three regions, significantly decreasing in one, and were level in the remaining regions. Among AI/AN,
cesarean section rates were lower in Alaska (4.1%) than in other regions (16.4–26.6%). This is the first national study to
describe regional variation in AI/AN teen birth rates. These data may be used to target limited resources for teen pregnancy
intervention programs and guide research.
in the US. The birth rate for US teenagers 15–19 years reached a historic low in 2009 (39.1 per 1,000) and yet remains one
of the highest teen birth rates among industrialized nations. In the US, teen birth rates among Hispanic, non-Hispanic black,
and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are consistently two to three times the rate among non-Hispanic white teens.
Birth certificate data for females younger than age 20 were used to calculate birth rates (live births per 1,000 women) and
joinpoint regression to describe trends in teen birth rates by age (<15, 15–17, 18–19) and region (Aberdeen, Alaska, Bemidji,
Billings, California, Nashville, Oklahoma, Portland, Southwest). Birth rates for AI/AN teens varied across geographic regions.
Among 15–19-year-old AI/AN, rates ranged from 24.35 (California) to 123.24 (Aberdeen). AI/AN teen birth rates declined from
the early 1990s into the 2000s for all three age groups. Among 15–17-year-olds, trends were approximately level during the
early 2000s–2007 in six regions and declined in the others. Among 18–19-year-olds, trends were significantly increasing during
the early 2000s–2007 in three regions, significantly decreasing in one, and were level in the remaining regions. Among AI/AN,
cesarean section rates were lower in Alaska (4.1%) than in other regions (16.4–26.6%). This is the first national study to
describe regional variation in AI/AN teen birth rates. These data may be used to target limited resources for teen pregnancy
intervention programs and guide research.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-011-0924-4
- Authors
- Phyllis A. Wingo, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Catherine A. Lesesne, ICF Macro, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Ruben A. Smith, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Lori de Ravello, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- David K. Espey, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, Native American Research and Training Center, Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Myra Tucker, Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Judith Thierry, Division of Clinical and Community Services, Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Indian Health Service, Washington, DC, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875