Adolescent pregnancy trends and demographics

In the United States today, 9% of women aged 15 to 19 years become pregnant each year: 5% give birth, 3% have induced abortions, and 1% have miscarriages or stillbirths--rates much higher than those in other developed countries. Rates are highest among those who are older, from disadvantaged backgro...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Current women's health reports Vol. 1; no. 2; p. 102
Main Author:	Darroch, J E
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-10-2001
Subjects:	Abortion, Induced - statistics & numerical data Abortion, Induced - trends Adolescent Adult African Americans - statistics & numerical data African Continental Ancestry Group Age Distribution Australia - epidemiology Birth Rate - trends Canada - epidemiology Europe - epidemiology European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data Humans Male Marital Status New Zealand - epidemiology Pregnancy - statistics & numerical data Pregnancy in Adolescence - ethnology Pregnancy in Adolescence - statistics & numerical data Pregnancy, Unwanted Risk Factors Sex Education Socioeconomic Factors United States - epidemiology New Zealand Canada Australia United States Europe
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	In the United States today, 9% of women aged 15 to 19 years become pregnant each year: 5% give birth, 3% have induced abortions, and 1% have miscarriages or stillbirths--rates much higher than those in other developed countries. Rates are highest among those who are older, from disadvantaged backgrounds, black or Hispanic, married, have much older male partners, and live in southern states. Teen pregnancies are overwhelmingly unintended, reflecting substantial gaps in contraceptive use, and difficulties using reversible methods effectively. Teen pregnancy, birth, and abortion levels have decreased in recent years, primarily because of more effective contraceptive use (responsible for about 75% of the decline), and because of fewer adolescents having sexual intercourse (about 25%). Much work remains to improve the conditions in which young people grow up, provide them with information and education regarding sexuality and relationships, and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services.
ISSN:	1534-5874