1999 - 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment

 

TEENS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, October 13, 1999

 

SUMMARY OF GROUP DECISIONS

 

 

Issue to be studied: “Teenage sex, pregnancy and parenthood”

 

Definition of terms:          

 

Ø      Teenagers include all preteen youth and up to age 19

Ø      Sex includes any sexual activity which could lead to pregnancy and parenthood

 

Contributing Causes:

 

Ø      Low self-esteem

Ø      Peer pressure

Ø      Sexual abuse

Ø      Alcohol and drug use

Ø      Influence of media

Ø      Lack of parental supervision

Ø      Lack of things to do/unstructured time

Ø      Lack of access to health services

Ø      Family history

Ø      Lack of goals and aspirations for future

Ø      Low school achievement

 

Community/People Outcomes:

 

Ø      Reduction in teen pregnancy rate

Ø      Decrease amount of sexual activity among teens

Ø      Change in teen attitudes about sex and parenthood

Ø      Increase healthy lifestyles among teens

Ø      Improve aspirations among teens

Ø      Youth knowing how to say no

 

Focus Groups:

 

Target Population: 14-17 year olds

 

Ø      Parents – males (2 groups)

Ø      Parents – females (2 groups)

Ø      Non-Parents – males (2 groups)

Ø      Non-Parents – females (2 groups)

 

Information to be solicited from participants:

 

Ø      Reasons for becoming pregnant (or abstaining from sex)

Ø      Awareness of risk factors regarding sexual behavior

Ø      Awareness of local services and how to access

Ø      Mis-information about sex

 

 

Participant Selection Method:

 

Ø      Work with public and private schools to send out notices to targeted teens inviting their participation. Develop safeguards to protect anonymity and confidentiality.

 

Ø      Work with private and public agencies to identify teen parents and teen non-parents, and invite their participation;

Ø      Work with local research firm to randomly select non-parent teens for their participation.

 

 

Committee Participants:

 

Paul Farmer (Step Ahead)

Sally Becker (United Way)

Dan Hayden (United Way)

Sue Hartig (Legal Aid)

Barbara Jesson (United Methodist Youth Home)

Jan Dougan (Cooperative Extension)

Linda Gilbert (EVSC)

Jay Oliver (Horizon Golf)

Beth Rose (Blinda Assoc)

Karen Ragland (EHA)

Deborah Wagner (Girl Scouts)

Joan Lunde (YMCA)

John Betz (Career Choices)

Wayne Doughty (Boy Scouts)

Gerry Adams (Memorial HS)

Pam Majors (Mulberry Ctr.)

Lisa Nord (Catholic Charities)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus Group Target Demographics

 

Teenage Sex, Pregnancy and Parenthood
1-2) Teen Parents -- Females		White Est.	Black Est.	White	Black
	Pop. Est. %[1]	%[2]	%	Targets	Targets
Low-Income	73.0%	76.0%	24.0%	8	2
Non-Low-Income	27.0%	76.0%	24.0%	3	1
3-4) Teen Parents -- Males *		White Est.	Black Est.	White	Black
	Pop. Est. %	%	%	Targets	Targets
Low-Income	73.0%	76.0%	24.0%	8	2
Non-Low-Income	27.0%	76.0%	24.0%	3	1
* Based on female participation rates
5-6) Teen Non-Parents -- Males		White Est.	Black Est.	White	Black
	Pop. Est. %[3]	%[4]	%	Targets	Targets
Low-Income	19.0%	83.9%	16.1%	2	1
Non-Low- Income	81.0%	93.0%	7.0%	10	1
7-8) Teen Non-Parents -- Females		White Est.	Black Est.	White	Black
	Pop. Est. %	%	%	Targets	Targets
Low-Income	19.0%	83.9%	16.1%	2	1
Non-Low- Income	81.0%	93.0%	7.0%	10	1