Introduction
Pregnancy rates among Latina girls of adolescent age are high, indicating risky sexual behavior for this population group. According to Keogh (2016), the decline in early teen pregnancy is made difficult by the racial disparity indicating that adolescent Latinas have high teen pregnancy compared to non-Latina adolescents. The earliest research on this area showed that 53% of Latinas in America became pregnant before age 20, and the number almost doubled in 2006 (Rocca et al., 2010). A recent CDC (2019) study shows that the rate of early teen pregnancy among Latinas is 25.3%, higher than the non-Hispanic White teens’ record of 11.4%. Latina teens’ high risk for early pregnancy is associated with social determinants of low education, low-income levels, and attitude toward pregnancy, which favorably contributes to this group’s high birth rate. In Suffolk County, the high birth rates among Latina teens persist, proving the racial persistence of this problem within the locale. A culturally tailored preventive program should be implemented within this county to reduce teen pregnancy among Latina adolescents in Suffolk County effectively.
Theory/Model
The models that explain the prevalent problem of early teen pregnancy among Latinas include a person-oriented approach, cultural adaptation, and theory of reaction action. The person-oriented approach identifies various patterns of adolescents based on the attitude they develop toward teen pregnancy. Also, it identifies multiple indicators of these teens’ cultural orientation. The person-oriented approach and cultural adaptation model suggest that Latina adolescents have a within-group cultural orientation that varies (Killoren et al., 2015). The models show that acculturated Latinas were at greater risk for adolescent pregnancy than less acculturated Latinas. Also, foreign-born Latinas perceived more positive consequences of teenage pregnancy.
The theory of reasoned action accounts for teenagers’ decision to engage in unprotected sex. According to Dippel et al. (2017), the model explains the decision-making for teenagers to engage in early sexual intercourse resulting in early pregnancy. These modes will be used to develop a community-based teen pregnancy prevention program in Suffolk County.
Program Description
This program will prevent early teen pregnancy among adolescent Latinas in Suffolk County. The program will focus on closing the knowledge gaps around anatomy and puberty by focusing on the negative effect of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and target social determinants of teenage pregnancy related to cultural perception and individual attitudes towards pregnancy.
Goals and Objectives
Grant Goal: Decrease Teenage Pregnancy among Adolescent Latinas
Community Goal: Decrease Teenage Pregnancy among Adolescent Latinas in Suffolk County, New York
| Objectives | Strategies | Evaluation |
| Over the next six months at Suffolk County, increase basic knowledge about anatomy and puberty. | Conduct a comprehensive sex education approach. | Grant personnel will survey the county to determine the knowledge base of Latina adolescents concerning anatomy and puberty. |
| For the next six months, increase them by 30% the number of teenagers attending an after-school program focused on facilitating parent-children communication about teenage pregnancy and its effects on the community. | Use media promotion and community sensitization. | Interviews will be done among the target population before and after the program to determine the number of Latina adolescents attending the after-school program. |
| In 12 months, increase by 50% the consistent use of effective contraception among sexually active adolescent Latinas in the county by. | Community-based approach | Latina teens in Suffolk County will be given a Likertt scale to determine their change in attitude toward using contraceptive |
| in 12 months, reduce teen pregnancy among Latinas in Suffolk County by 50%. | A survey will be conducted in the county to determine the change in the rate of Latina adolescent pregnancy. |
Summary
The program is focused on addressing changes in the attitude of Latina changes and addressing the social determinants of teenage pregnancy, thereby reducing the birth rate among Latina teens in Suffolk County. For this program to be effective, the targeted population must be approached with cultural sensitivity in mind, and the program must be undertaken with long-term goals.
References
CDC, (2019). About Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved 12th April 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm
Dippel, E., Hanson, J., McMahon, T., Griese, E., & Kenyon, D. (2017). Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action to Understanding Teen Pregnancy with American Indian Communities. Maternal And Child Health Journal, 21(7), 1449–1456. doi: 10.1007/s10995-017-2262-7
Keogh, K. E. (2016). Teen pregnancy among Latinas: A literature review. 21st Century Social Justice, 3(1), 5.
Killoren, S., Zeiders, K., Updegraff, K., & Umaña-Taylor, A. (2015). The Sociocultural Context of Mexican-Origin Pregnant Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Teen Pregnancy and Links to Future Outcomes. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 45(5), 887-899. doi: 10.1007/s10964-015-0387-9
Rocca, C., Doherty, I., Padian, N., Hubbard, A., & Minnis, A. (2010). Pregnancy Intentions and Teenage Pregnancy Among Latinas: A Mediation Analysis. Perspectives On Sexual And Reproductive Health, 42(3), 186–196. doi: 10.1363/4218610
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