Teenage Birth Research Articles

Engaging Church Leaders in the Reduction of Teen Birth Rate in High-Risk Areas.

Involving faith-based organizations in community health promotion has gained widespread interest and has been a successful approach in addressing various health disparities in vulnerable communities. However, there is comparatively little evidence regarding sexual health promotion among faith-based organizations. Some agencies have responded to the challenge of reducing teen pregnancy with broad-based initiatives involving many different sectors of the community including faith-based organizations. Focus groups with key church leaders (n = 25) from zip codes with identified birth rates of 95 or higher were conducted to explore their perception of teen pregnancy among their communities. Purposive and snowball sampling were utilized. Recruitment was conducted through calls, email, and flyers. This study identified the barriers that church leaders encounter in their efforts to address teen pregnancy in their communities. Common themes that emerged include church education, parent support and communication, cultural barriers, availability of resources, awareness of services, and the need for comprehensive sexual education. Findings and recommendations to help those working in the faith community overcome identified barriers are addressed. Recent decreases in teen birth rates should not lead to complacency; rather they should inspire public health practitioners to do more, especially when some communities have not experienced the same success. Collaborating with faith-based organizations is one method to consider when considering community prevention efforts.

Strategies to facilitate safe sexual practices in adolescents through integrated health systems in selected districts of Zimbabwe: a mixed method study protocol

BackgroundZimbabwe has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Sub Saharan Africa. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevalence in adolescents that are from tribes that perform cultural initiations and subscribe to certain norms are higher than the national prevalence which is estimated at 12% (18 and 13.6% respectively) in Zimbabwe. Indigenous Health Systems (IHSs) and Modern Health Systems (MHSs) in Zimbabwe run parallel thereby introducing challenges in the management of adolescent sexual health due to conflicts. This study seeks to develop strategies that will facilitate the integration of IHSs and MHS in Mberengwa and Umguza districts.MethodsThis research will be conducted in two phases. The first phase would utilise a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings from the qualitative and quantitative approaches would be merged through a comparison of findings side by side. The second phase would focus on the development and validation of strategies that would facilitate the integration of IHSs and MHSs. The Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis would be applied on interfaced findings from phase one. The Basic Logic and the Build, Overcome, Explore and Minimise (BOEM) models would then be used to develop strategies based on the SWOT findings. The developed strategies would be validated through the application of Delphi technique and administration of checklist to selected key stakeholders through organised workshops.DiscussionThere have been no known studies found in the literature that explores the possibility and developed strategies of integrating IHSs and MHSs so as to promote safe sexual practices in adolescents. Most programs on sexual health have ignored the role of IHSs and MHSs in influencing safe sexual practices leading to them failing to attain desired goals. A lot of emphases has been targeted at minimising the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through advocating for utilisation MHSs rather than focussing on an integrating systems that are meant to manage Adolescent Sexual Health (ASH) related issues. The study protocol was approved by the University of Venda Ethics Committee Registration (SHS/19/PH/17/2608) on the 26th of August 2019.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Teenage Pregnancy among Secondary and High School Students in the Tiko Health District, South West Region, Cameroon

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is a common public health problem with global estimates of 16 million teenage births yearly. It is one of the major causes of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide with the majority of the cases seen in the low and middle-income countries. Cameroon has recorded the highest fertility rate among teenagers in the entire Central African region as of 2017. Notably, there are limited data available on assessing the awareness and prevention of teenage pregnancies among secondary and high school students in Cameroon. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of teenage pregnancy among secondary and high school students in the Tiko Health District, South West Region, Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted whereby data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from 250 systematically sampled participants from five teaching institutions in the Tiko Health District. Data was analysed using the EPI Info software, version 7.0. The study was carried out from the 15th November 2018 to the 20th of May 2019. Results: We had a total of 250 participants. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 5.20% (95% CI 3.34 - 9.1). A total of 47.20% (95% CI: 37.56 - 53.6) of participants were sexually active. Having multiple partners was a major risk factor for teenage pregnancy (AOR: 3.2, 95%CI: 1.75 - 4.03, P-value: 0.03). After adjusting for confounders educational level was a risk factor for the awareness of teenage pregnancy (AOR: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.30 - 0.92, P-value: 0.04). Poor communication skills, social shyness, and lack of knowledge were potential barriers to contraceptive use. Conclusion: Having multiple sexual partners was a risk factor to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. The majority of adolescents had considerate ideas of teenage pregnancy, its prevention, and its consequences. However, a good number of them lack adequate knowledge of a comprehensive sexuality education. Thus, measures have to be put in place to provide better sex education to adolescents.

Epidemio-Clinical Approach and Prognosis of Teenage Delivery in the Commune VI Du District of Bamako in Mali

Objective: To describe the epidemiological aspects, clinical characteristics, aspects of childbirth and to determine the maternal and perinatal prognosis during the delivery of adolescent girls at the reference health centre of commune VI of the district of Bamako in Mali. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical case-control study from January 1 to December 31, 2018, or 12 months with prospective data collection. Results: During the study period from January 01 to December 31, 2018, we recorded 1768 teenage deliveries out of a total of 9012 deliveries, a frequency of 19.61%. The average age of the cases was 17.4 ± 1 years. Single adolescent girls accounted for 14.67% (OR = 3.05, P = 0.001) unintended pregnancies (11.67% vs. 2.3%; P = 0.000007; OR = 5.52), the non-completion of the antenatal consultation (14.67% vs. 5.33%; P = 0.0001; preterm births (14.33% vs. 7.67%); P = 0.01; OR = 2.5), anaemia (7.33% vs. 3%; P = 0.009; OR = 2.01), instrumental extractions (P = 0.00008, OR = 2.87), perineal tears (P = 0.0016; OR = 3.05), mechanical dystocies (P = 0.0039); low birth weights (P = 0.039; OR = 2.2) were found to be significantly higher in adolescent girls than adults. Conclusion: Teenage versus adult births are associated with many more maternal-fetal complications.

Emergency contraception for the South African healthcare professional

Unintended pregnancies are very common and it is estimated that almost 45% of all pregnancies in 2011 in the USA were not planned. In South Africa the situation could even be worse as it is common knowledge that we have a very high teenage pregnancy rate. It puts the already overburdened health system under enormous pressure.

The Epidemiologic and Maternal and Fetal Prognosis of Teenage Girls

Objective: To identify the epidemiologic profile of the teenage mother; determine the frequency of teenage deliveries at CHME/Monkole; identify the most common obstetric complications during childbirth in adolescents; and evaluate the maternal and fetal prognosis of teenage birth in our environment. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study with a retrospective approach using records of teenage births admitted to the CHME/Monkole maternity between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. Results: The overall rate of teenage delivery was 3.9%. 2016 saw a high rate of 55.2%. The average age was 18.2 years old, and the age group 17 - 19 was the most affected. The commune of Mont-Ngafula had registered more cases than the other communes with 56.7%. The majority of teenage girls who gave birth were primigravida (91%). Urogenital infection was the most common pathology observed during antenatal care (ANC) visits in teenage pregnancies (25.4%). Fetal-pelvic disproportion and water loss were the most common reasons for transfer, 15% each. Most pregnancies were completed (73.1%). The delivery was eutocic in 55.2% of cases. The tearing of the soft tissues was the most encountered complication (7.5%). Most newborns (83.6%) had not received neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room. One case of maternal death was registered (1.5%), and two cases of neonatal deaths were noted (3%). Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is a risk factor for childbirth. The most important risk is presented by a caesarean section following a bony pelvic dystocia and the tearing of the soft tissues during eutocic delivery. Educating young people about family planning remains important to prevent early pregnancies and thus promote girls’ schooling.

Resolving complex community problems: Applying collective leadership and Kotter's change model to wicked problems within social system networks

AbstractHow does collective leadership within social networks resolve chronic and complex problems common to communities? Unfortunately, sometimes it does not, but when it does, the outcome may be truly extraordinary. We use a case study approach to explain how one Midwest community within the USA applied collective leadership within a community network to reduce teen births. It took ten years of what many identified as provocative media campaigns and comprehensive sex education programs to reduce teen births by 65%, significantly exceeding the stated goal. Using Kotter's change model as a backdrop, powerful strategies and provocative creativity reveal courageous leadership within a social network of diverse people and organizations focused on improving the social well being of their community.

Provision of Contraception in New York City School-Based Health Centers: Impact on Teenage Pregnancy and Avoided Costs, 2008-2017.

Since 2008, the School-Based Health Center Reproductive Health Project (SBHC RHP) has supported SBHCs in New York City (NYC) to increase the availability of effective contraception; however, its impact on teenage pregnancy and avoided costs has not been estimated. The impact of the SBHC RHP on patterns of contraceptive use and on the numbers of pregnancies, abortions and births averted in 2008-2017 was estimated using program data and public data from the NYC Bureau of Vital Statistics and Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Data from the Guttmacher Institute on the cost of publicly funded births and abortions were used to estimate costs avoided; NYC-specific teenage pregnancy outcome data were employed to estimate the proportion of overall declines attributable to the SBHC RHP. Between 2008 and 2017, the SBHC RHP supported a substantial increase in the proportion of sexually active female clients using effective contraceptives. Most dramatically, 14% of clients in the SBHC RHP method mix used LARCs in 2017, compared with 2% in the non-SBHC RHP mix. The project averted an estimated 5,376 pregnancies, 2,104 births and 3,085 abortions, leading to an estimated $30,360,352 in avoided one-time costs of publicly funded births and abortions. These averted events accounted for 26-28% of the decline in teenage pregnancies, births and abortions in NYC. When comprehensive reproductive health services are available in SBHCs, teenagers use them, resulting in substantially fewer pregnancies, abortions and births, and lower costs to public health systems.

Determinants of Teenage Pregnancy in Rural Ethiopia

Teenage pregnancy is a major health concern because it associated with higher morbidity and mortality for both mother and child. The general aim was to assess the determinants of teenage pregnancy in rural Ethiopia using 2252 teenagers of EDHS 2016 data. The data was analyzed using descriptiv(percentage and barcchart) and inferential statistics(logistic regression).The descriptive statistics revealed that 16.3% of the teenagers experienced teenage pregnancy and the highest teenage pregnancy were found in the rural area of Harari, Afar, Dire Dawa and Somali regional state of Ethiopia while the lowest was found in Ahmara, SNNPand Tigray regional state of Ethipia. The logistic regression showed that age at first sexual intercourse, marital status, education level, wealth index, knowledge about ovulary cycle, Current contraceptive use and region were signficantly affect teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia. Hence, the government and other cocerned body should work to create awareness and legal restriction on reproductive activity of teenagers to minimize the risk of teenage pregancy across the regional state of Ethiopia. Keywords: Teenage; pregnancy; Logistic Regression DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/68-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2019

Association of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Teenage Birth Among Women and Girls in Sweden

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a plethora of adverse health outcomes throughout life. While Swedish specialized youth clinics have carefully and successfully targeted risk of unplanned pregnancies in adolescents, important risk groups, such as women and girls with ADHD, might not be identified or appropriately assisted by these interventions. To determine whether women and girls with ADHD are associated with increased risk of teenage birth compared with their unaffected peers and to examine the association of ADHD with risk factors for adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, such as smoking, underweight or overweight, and substance use disorder. This nationwide cohort study included data from 6 national longitudinal population-based registries in Sweden. All nulliparous women and girls who gave birth in Sweden between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2014, were included. Data analyses were conducted from October 7, 2018, to February 8, 2019. Women and girls treated with stimulant or nonstimulant medication for ADHD (Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification code N06BA) in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register between July 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. Maternal age at birth. Secondary outcome measures were body mass index, smoking habits, and psychiatric comorbidities. Among 384 103 nulliparous women and girls aged 12 to 50 years who gave birth between 2007 and 2014 included in the study, 6410 (1.7%) (mean [SD] age, 25.0 [5.5] years) were identified as having ADHD. The remaining 377 693 women and girls without ADHD (mean [SD] age, 28.5 [5.1] years) served as the control group. Teenage deliveries were more common among women and girls with ADHD than among women and girls without ADHD (15.3% vs 2.8%; odds ratio [OR], 6.23 [95% CI, 5.80-6.68]). Compared with women and girls without ADHD, those with ADHD were more likely to present with risk factors for adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, including smoking during the third trimester (OR, 6.88 [95% CI, 6.45-7.34]), body mass index less than 18.50 (OR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.12-1.49]), body mass index more than 40.00 (OR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.60-2.52]), and alcohol and substance use disorder (OR, 20.25 [95% CI, 18.74-21.88]). This study found that women and girls with ADHD were associated with an increased risk of giving birth as teenagers compared with their unaffected peers. The results suggest that standard of care for women and girls with ADHD should include active efforts to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Prenatal Mixtures of Environmental Exposures and Associations with Subsequent Teen Births

Prenatal Mixtures of Environmental Exposures and Associations with Subsequent Teen Births

Cultural Differences in Parental Self-Efficacy in Communicating With Teens About Sex: A Pilot Study

Despite the declining national teen birth rates, racial disparities persist. Black and Hispanic teens in some communities continue to experience disproportionately higher teen birth rates. This pilot study explored parental perspectives regarding teen pregnancy and parental self-efficacy in communicating with teens about sex. Seven focus groups were conducted with 35 Black and Hispanic parents who reside in five targeted zip codes with exceptionally high teen birth rates, ranging from 84.2 to 112.9 per 1,000. These rates exceed the 26.5 per 1,000 national teen birth rate by more than 300%. Results reveal cultural differences in parental self-efficacy between Black and Hispanic parents in communicating with teens. Black parents reported higher self-efficacy. Hispanic parents reported cultural beliefs as communication barriers with teens.

County-Level Clustering and Characteristics of Repeat Versus First Teen Births in the United States, 2015–2017

PurposeApproximately 16% of U.S. births to women aged 15–19 years are repeat (second or higher order) births. Repeat teen mothers are at elevated risk for poor perinatal outcomes. Geographic clustering and correlates of repeat teen birth are unknown. MethodsData from birth certificates on N = 629,939 teen births in N = 3,108 U.S. counties in 2015–2017 were merged with data on county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and health provider characteristics. We identified contiguous clusters of counties with significantly elevated rates of first teen births only, repeat teen births, both, or neither between 2015 and 2017 and compared demographic, socioeconomic, and medical provider characteristics of counties between 2010 and 2016 in each cluster type. ResultsA total of 193 counties (6.21%) had high rates of repeat births only; 504 (16.22%) had high rates of first teen birth only; 991 (31.89%) had high rates of both repeat and first teen births; and 1,420 (45.69%) had neither. Counties with high repeat (vs. first only) birth rates had higher rates of poverty and unemployment, higher levels of income inequality, lower high school graduation rates, a higher share of racial and ethnic minority residents, fewer publicly funded family planning clinics per capita, and more women receiving contraceptive services at publicly funded clinics. ConclusionsFirst and repeat teen births cluster in differentially resourced geographic areas. Counties with high repeat teen birth rates have lower socioeconomic conditions than counties with high rates of first teen births only. These counties are more reliant on publicly funded family planning clinics but have fewer of them per capita.

A 5-year evaluation of the emergency contraception enhanced community pharmacy service provided in Wales

BackgroundAccess to emergency contraception (EC) has been a core component of attempts to address high teenage pregnancy rates in Wales. A national service was commissioned in 2011, allowing supply of...

A housing mobility program's impacts on teen and young adult parenting.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Demonstration Program (MTO) implemented in 1994 in five U.S. cities (Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City) on teen births.MethodsWe analyzed baseline and long-term evaluation data for youth (ages 13–20) and young adults (ages 21–30) (N = 7861) who were children or teens at baseline. We used regression analyses to estimate the impact of housing vouchers on having a teen birth.ResultsOverall, MTO had no significant effect on teen births. However, among young adults whose parent had a child before age 20, the proportion with a teen birth themselves was 21% lower among those offered housing vouchers to low-poverty neighborhoods with no restrictions compared to those not offered housing vouchers (p < 0.05).ConclusionMTO appeared to decrease intergenerational teen births among young adults. Further exploration of housing relocation may help untangle risks and protective factors for reducing intergenerational teen births.Public health implicationsReducing intergenerational teen births is important, especially among those facing economic, environmental, and health risks. Comprehensive programs addressing multiple social determinants of health are vital to reducing teen births.

Adolescent Pregnancy: A Health Challenge

Every year, some 3.9 million girls aged 15 to 19 years undergo unsafe abortions (1). Approximately 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and 2.5 million girls under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions (2, 3). Complications during and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15 to 19 year-old girls globally (4). Adolescent mothers (ages 10 to 19 years) face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than women aged 20 to 24 years (5, 6).The term is often used synonymously with teenager. In this sense adolescent pregnancy means in a woman aged 10–19 years (2, 7). Pregnant teenagers face many of the same related issues as other women. There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15 as they are less likely to be physically developed to sustain a healthy or to give birth (8). For girls aged 15–19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the biological effects of age (9). Risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are connected to biological age, being observed in teen births even after controlling for other risk factors (such as accessing prenatal care etc.) (5, 6).

Persisting teen age births, a global challenge

Introduction: Teen age births, though have reduced, are still common, with a lot of impact on mothers’, babies’, families’, communities’, nations’ health, world at large. Impact can echo throughout girl’s life, carry over to next generations. It has been revealed that globally unmarried adolescents have less access to family planning than general population and sex during adolescence is common with lack of awareness of sequlae in girls, specially in South East Asia. Objectives: To know about teen age births, effects, global challenges in prevention of teen age births, their sequlae. Methodology: Simple review about various studies, health providers views was done by different search engines like Uptodate, Pubmed, Ermed Consortium, Cochrane Library, Delnet, MedIND and self experiences were added. Results: Racial/ethnic geographic disparities in teen births persist, both within, across Countries, States, Districts, Communities, some with low rates and others with high. United States of America (USA) reported much higher teen age births compared to other developed countries though declined after 1991 dramatically between 2007 and 2016 as per published research using National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and Youth Risk Behaviour Survey in USA. Change was influenced primarily by increase in contraceptive use, to lesser degree declines in sexual activity. It was also revealed that in all countries, unmarried adolescents appeared to have less access to family planning than general population of. USA Teenage pregnancy has been reported to be associated with number of adverse health outcomes for mother, baby as well as social economic disadvantages for individuals, their future families even next generations. Existing literature suggested that the persistence of teen age births and many other aspects of girls lives reflected range of cultural, socio-economic factors. Conclusion: There is need of Improving adolescents awareness about sexuality, reproduction, sequlae. Access to contraceptives as per need, including emergency conception are essential. Public youth policies must consider the differences in stories of adolescents. Policies programs’ must go around their lives.

Application of the Social Vulnerability Index for Identifying Teen Pregnancy Intervention Need in the United States.

Objectives Originally developed to assess emergency preparedness, evidence suggests the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) may also be useful to investigate multilevel environmental and social influences on health risk behaviors and outcomes. This ecological study explores the application of the SVI as a predictor of teen pregnancy rates across counties in the United States (U.S.) and identifies areas with greatest need for community-based interventions. Methods County-level SVI and teen birth rate data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between teen birth rates and social vulnerability, geographic region, and the four themes which compromise the index: socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, and housing. Dot maps of teen birth rates and SVI by quartiles were used to examine spatial distribution across counties. Results Each increase in SVI quartile was associated with an additional 11.5 births per 1000 females ages 15-19. Higher social vulnerability was significantly associated with higher teen birth rates to varying degrees across the U.S., with largest effect sizes observed in East South Central (β = 62.56; SE = 6.28; p < 0.001) and West South Central (β = 66.75; SE = 5.33; p < 0.001) Census divisions. Among index themes, socioeconomic status (β = 25.56; SE = 1.16; p < 0.001), household composition (β = 23.49; SE = 1.00; p < 0.001), and minority/language status (β = 10.99; SE = 0.83; p < 0.001) were positively associated with teen birth. No association was observed with housing/transportation. Conclusions The SVI offers a novel tool for identifying at-risk populations most in need of resources and guiding community-based teen pregnancy interventions across the U.S.

Condom Use With Long-Acting Reversible Contraception vs Non–Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Hormonal Methods Among Postpartum Adolescents

Increased use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; intrauterine devices [IUDs] and implants) has likely contributed to declining US teenage pregnancy and birth rates, yet sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among teenagers remain high. While LARC methods are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, they, as with all nonbarrier methods, do not protect against STIs, including HIV. Studies of the general adolescent population suggest condom use is lower among LARC vs non-LARC hormonal methods users (birth control pill, contraceptive patch, vaginal ring, or injection). Despite the high use of LARC among postpartum teenagers, no studies have examined whether condom use differs by contraceptive method in this population. To compare condom use among sexually active postpartum teenagers using LARC vs those using non-LARC hormonal methods. Cross-sectional analysis using 2012 to 2015 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a multisite and population-based surveillance system that collects data on maternal attitudes, behaviors, and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. We used data from 37 sites. Using multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression, we assessed the association of condom use by contraceptive methods. Participants were teenage mothers (≤19 years) with a recent live birth reporting LARC or non-LARC hormonal method use. Data were analyzed between March 2018 and April 2018. Condom use with LARC vs condom use with non-LARC hormonal methods. Among the 5480 (weighted N = 245 847) postpartum teenage mothers in our sample, most were aged 18 to 19 years, unmarried, had current Medicaid coverage, were first-time mothers, had reported their pregnancy was unintended, and almost half were non-Hispanic white. Overall, condom use was reported by 28.8% of these teenagers. Users of LARC compared with non-LARC hormonal methods were half as likely to use condoms (17.8% vs 35.6%; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41-0.60). Users of IUDs (15.1%) were less likely to report condom use than those using an implant (21.5%; aPR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51-0.98), patch, ring, or injection users (24.9%; aPR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47-0.79), and pill users (47.2%; aPR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.25-0.40). Self-reported condom use was low overall among postpartum teenage mothers and lower among users of LARC vs non-LARC hormonal methods. Given the high rates of STIs among teenage mothers combined with higher use of LARC among postpartum teenaged mothers, interventions to promote condom use for STI/HIV prevention during the postpartum period are critically important.

Teenage Pregnancy: Time for Change and Action

Although the teenage pregnancy rate in the United States has declined over the years, it is still higher than the teenage pregnancy rates in other industrialized countries. This paper attempts to identify the types of changes that have occurred between 1994 and 2017 by comparing the results of a 1996 study by Ventura, Martin, Matthews & Clarke with the results obtained using the 2017 National Natality Dataset obtained from the Center of Disease Control via the National Center of Health Statistics. The new data from 2017 demonstrates that the proportions of teenage births have gone down over the past few years, and that the racial/ethnicity component of teenage childbearing is also showing a narrowing trend. Even though we recognize the downward trend in teenage pregnancy, the concerns regarding the long-term socioeconomic outcomes arising from teenage births are still at large. We conduct a quantitative Logit analysis to identify what factors increase the probability of teenage motherhood in the United States and also conduct a short analysis of relevant existing public policies to provide recommendations for improvements that could potentially reduce the risk factors of teenage pregnancy in the United States.