Online Program

279880
Exploring the predictors that may influence the variations in teen birth rates by state


Monday, November 4, 2013

Deepthi Moparthi, MBBS, MPH, Idaho State University, Institute of Rural Health, Pocatello,, ID
M. Elizabeth Fore, PhD, Department of Community and Public Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Monica Mispireta, MD MHS PhD(c), MPH Program, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Neill F Piland, Dr.P.H, Institute of Rural Health, Institute of Rural Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Despite a significant decline of 44% in the U. S. teen birth rate from 1999-2010, the continuing wide range of state specific rates (15.7 to 55.0 per thousand) has raised concern about identifying factors influencing state level variation. This study examined the relationship between sex education, abortion policies, socio-demographic factors and access to health services and state-level teen birth rates. Data for the analysis were obtained from nationally representative surveys which provided the following state-level information: natality and bridged race population , policies on sex education and parental consent for abortion, proportion of counties without abortion provider, number of abortion providers, average freshman graduation rate, gini coefficient, degree of religiosity, and political preferences. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between these factors and teen birth rate at the state level. Teen birth rate was directly associated with number of uninsured adults (p < 0.001) and level of religiosity (p < 0.001); and inversely associated with average freshman graduation rate (p = 0.054) and the supply of abortion providers in the state (p = 0.011). The wide variation in teen birth rates across states and state specific determining factors makes implementation of health policies difficult reducing the application and effectiveness of adopted policies.

Learning Areas:

Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Identify the predictors for variations in teen birth rates among different states in USA

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I completed the project as a requirement for my MPH. I developed the research questions, analyzed the data, and wrote-up the results.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.