Change in Population Characteristics and Teen Birth Rates in 77 Community Areas: Chicago, Illinois, 1999–2009

Abstract

The study provides a model of census-based measures that can be used to evaluate predicted vs. observed rates of change in teen births across communities, offering the potential to more appropriately prioritize public health resources for preventing unintended teen pregnancy.

Neighborhoods matter. A systematic review of neighborhood characteristics and adolescent reproductive health outcomes

“…One found that an increased proportion of adults 25 or older with a college education within a zip code was associated with a decreased adolescent birthrate among all racial groups (Kirby et al, 2001). Two other studies (Blake and Bentov, 2001;Gunaratne et al, 2015) found that an increased proportion of adults 25 or older with lower education levels was positively correlated with higher birthrates. Qualitative results from Decker et al (2016) revealed that communities with higher adolescent birthrates were more likely to perceive fewer available educational opportunities.…”

“…Three studies used neighborhood geographic boundaries defined by community members, referenced in Table 2 as "participant defined neighborhoods". Two studies used governmental definitions specific to the location, "community areas" in Chicago and "Medical Service Study Areas" in California (Gunaratne et al, 2015;Decker, 2016). Some researchers parceled neighborhood clusters to achieve relative population homogeneity in racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and housing structure characteristics.…”

“…Only quantitative and mixed-methods studies included, qualitative studies are described in the narrative. Decker et al, 2016;Gunaratne et al, 2015).…”

“…One found that having greater than 50% Hispanic/Latino composition in a census tract was associated with an increased birthrate among adolescents of all races and ethnicities (Way et al, 2006). Similarly, Gunaratne et al (2015) found that an increase in the proportion of Hispanic residents was associated with an increase in the adolescent birthrate. Blake and Bentov (2001) found that a higher proportion of Black or Hispanic in a population was correlated with increased adolescent birthrates.…”

Spatial modelling and mapping of teen birth rates in Taiwan in the period 1995-2010

“…Most prior studies on teen pregnancy and birth focus on individual-and interpersonal-level risk factors and prevention programmes emphasizing knowledge and personal decision-making rather than contextual influence on teen pregnancy (Maness and Buhi, 2016). Still, identification of contextual risk factors related to TBR, as well as its geographical distribution, is important in providing clues to causal pathways of increasing gaps in TBRs among regions (Salazar et al, 2010;Gunaratne et al, 2015). Some sociological theories have suggested possible explanations regarding spatial heterogeneity in TBRs (Shaw and McKay, 1969;Shoff and Yang, 2012).…”