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Teen pregnancy poses health risks for teen mothers and their babies and adversely impacts their families and society. Read the post to know about the ways of teen pregnancy prevention. In the US, 10% of females between the ages 15 and 19 conceive every year. These pregnancies are mostly unplanned and occur outside marriage. However, since 1991, the teen pregnancy rate has fallen by 25% (1). Teen pregnancies are a global problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they usually occur in poor communities lacking education and employment. They are also an outcome of child marriage, limited knowledge of contraception, inability to get contraceptives, and sexual violence (2). 12 Ways To Prevent Teen Pregnancy1. Educate about sexualityTeenagers may lack sexual education and be unaware of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They may also indulge in unprotected sexual activity due to peer pressure (3). How to help:
2. Increase the use of contraceptivesAccording to WHO studies conducted in China, India, Kenya, Thailand, and other countries, adopting effective contraceptive methods (condoms, hormonal and emergency contraceptives) can help prevent teenage pregnancies. However, most adolescents are either unable to buy contraceptives or are unaware of the ways to use them (3). How to help:
3. Reduce forced sexGender norms can result in forced sex of girls as per studies conducted in countries, including Botswana, Kenya, and India (3). How to help:
4. Prevent early marriageAround 14% of girls in developing countries, such as Afghanistan, India, Kenya, and Nepal, are married before 15. Early marriage leads to early pregnancy and poor reproductive health. Girls who are married early also face poverty and under-education, affecting their families’ futures (3). How to help:
5. Monitor the influence of mediaIn the US, one in three television programs emphasizes sexual behavior. Research shows that watching television programs depicting sexual behavior causes teens to indulge in non-marital sexual activity from an early age (5). How to help:
6. Counsel male adolescentsMale teenagers experience sexual activity before female teenagers, and they tend to have more partners, yet they exhibit fewer reproductive concerns. Most health clinics and adolescent pregnancy prevention programs focus on girls rather than boys (1). How to help:
7. Provide career counselingMany girls marry early because of their poor economic conditions. Therefore, programs that focus on career counseling can encourage them to study and support their families rather than marry early (6). How to help:
8. Abstinence educationAbstinence is the choice to not indulge in sexual intercourse to help prevent pregnancies. Most teenagers decide to delay having sex until they are older. This is a responsible decision, and youth must adhere to it without being influenced by peer pressure (8). How to help:
9. Insurance for contraceptionTeenagers may not use contraceptive methods because they cannot afford them. Most private insurance plans do not offer coverage for contraception. How to help:
10. Promote gender equalityGender ideologies influence how young men and women behave and decide about contraception. According to social beliefs, young women are often discouraged from being open about any sexual activity; however, young men are encouraged to do the opposite. The same ideologies come forward when it comes to the use of contraception. These gender gaps often suppress women’s desires and views, leading to increased teenage pregnancies (10). How to help:
11. Develop a good relationship with childrenA good parent-child relationship can make children happy and confident. They will understand their responsibilities and social values. How to help:
12. Monitor activitiesKnow if your children are safe and what they are doing most of the time. As a parent, your responsibility is to monitor their activities closely. How to help:
Teen Pregnancy Prevention ProgramsGovernments across the world also take initiatives to control teenage pregnancy through different programs. Some effective programs are:
1. Why is it essential to prevent teenage pregnancy? Preventing teenage pregnancy is important because research shows that it can have adverse long-term consequences on society, health, and the economy. The negative effects include low educational achievement by the teen mother, medical issues during pregnancy, reduced earnings, marital failure, unemployment as an adult, and economic stress (12). 2. What are the causes of teenage pregnancy? Some causes of teenage pregnancy are lack of education, early marriage, limited employment opportunities, misconceptions regarding contraceptives, and sexual violence (2). Teens play an important role in society. Their health and well-being can have an impact on the country. Therefore, communities and families must get together to devise effective ways of tackling teen pregnancies, else they disrupt their education, career, and family. Support and awareness programs help prevent the rates of teen pregnancy to a great extent.
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