Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: An Observational Study

Abstract

The Department of Health and Human Services began administering a Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program through what is now the Office of Population Affairs in 2010 (DHHS, 2021). Via replication of approved, evidence-based programs, sexual education was administered to teens across the country with the goals of preventing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (DHHS, 2021). One funded program delivered the TPP curriculum in community-based settings across southwestern Ohio for four years, using undergraduate nursing students as facilitators. The program served 1,642 females, ages 15-19. The objectives were to gather data on baseline knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, intentions, and perceptions related to sexual health in a target population and examine trends in knowledge at 12-months post-intervention. Identical surveys were distributed at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. Survey questions from the original instruments were assigned to one of nine categories for a more focused exploration of critical topics. Teens’ perceptions of risk did not align with the risky behaviors reported. Healthcare providers must work to find ways to address feelings of invincibility in teens before other educational efforts may be effective. Implications for Nursing: Ongoing evaluation of target populations is necessary to ensure effective programming.