RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Iris Santa • COMHE 413 • 09 MAY 2012

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION REVIEW OF EXISTING LITERATURE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY PROPOSED METHODS DATA COLLECTION CONCLUSION Q & A

INTRODUCTION

According to the CDC, of 2009 the rate of teen pregnancy has declined about 9%.

Teen pregnancy continues to be the highest in the United States.

Teen pregnancy is a multi-factorial issue: Socioeconomic factors Sociodemographic factors State-Adopted Policies

EXISTING LITERATURE

Common themes: Using an economical model of cost & benefit of

abortion, Marshall Medoff (2009), identified that teens choose the optimal alternative depending on their economic values and the information they have available to them (i.e. make an economically rational decision).

Coles et al. (2006), identified Medicaid restrictions as factors in determining access to abortion services actually increase teen pregnancy rates.

OTHER THEMES

Abstinence-Only Education: Studies have shown a positive correlation between abstinence-only programs and an increase in teen pregnancy (Stranger-Hall and Hall, 2010).

Yang and Gydos (2010), also concluded through a similar correlational analysis of policy and culture, that higher abstinence funding per capita was observed among states with high teen birth rates.

PUBLIC POLICY: POVERTY

Claire D. Brindis (2006) aims at examining certain public policy changes surrounding specific factors affecting teen sexual activity and pregnancy.

The research has found: Socioeconomic status is an indicator of

poor health. 70% of higher-income teenagers who

become pregnant choose to postpone childbearing, whereas lower-income teens are more likely to give birth.

NEW RESEARCH

New Research: The focus of new research in this area should be on the affects of public policy on teen pregnancy rates.

Purpose: Eliminating state-adopted policies that limit access to reproductive health care that would decrease the rate of teen pregnancies and births.

OBJECTIVE & HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study is to further analyze how public policy affects teen pregnancy and births in the following categories: Abortions Evidence-based interventions Access to confidential reproductive health care

Hypothesis: the more restrictions and limitations placed on access to abortion services, evidence-based sexual education, and access to quality reproductive health care due to public policy changes are more likely to increase both unintended pregnancies and teen births.

PROPOSED RESEARCH

Research Questions: What are the effects of public policy changes on the

rate of teen pregnancy and births? Do restrictive abortion laws increase the rate of teen

pregnancy alone? Are there specific restrictions that are more or less

likely to increase or decrease teen pregnancy rates and outcomes?

How teen pregnancy rates and outcomes are differing across states with certain abortion restrictive laws?

What are the underlying factors that lead to specific policy implications?

RESEARCH DESIGN

Research uses a practical triangulation-based approach (Mixed Methods): Cross-sectional survey analysis Focus Groups In-depth Structured Interviews Policy Analysis Critical Evaluation of Literature

Defining Variables Independent: Abortion Restrictions,

Evidence-Based Interventions, and Access to Reproductive Health Care

Dependent: Teens intent to become sexually active ,use contraception, and pregnancy rate and outcomes.

DETERMINING SAMPLE

Sample Size Convenience Sampling: Overall sample size

of study. Inclusion Criteria: Age, and Sexual History

(Pregnancy/Full-term Birth, Prior TOP, Currently Sexually Active.)

Stratified Random Sampling: Poverty-Level, Race, and Insurance.

The total number of participants recruited for the study will be 50 (N=50).

RECRUITMENT & ELIGIBILTY

Recruitment will take place via: Community-health centres School-based health centres Community-based organizations

Eligibility Survey Age Establishing a history of TOP Births Sexual Activity Interest in Study Method of Contact

RESEARCH SCHEDULE

Base-Line Surveys (@ 0-Months) Evidence-Based Interventions (@ 0-3 Months) In-Depth Interviews and (@ 6-Months) Focus Group (@ 3-6 Months) Survey (@ 12-Months)

SURVEYS

Surveys are given at base-line and 12-months

Surveys are administered using the survey hosting site [polldaddy.com].

Surveys consist of questions that identify how teens “feel” or “react” to certain changes in policies that can affect their decision-making.

Survey data is collected and analyzed via the survey hosting site.

Data is categorized into common themes for open-ended questions.

FOCUS GROUPS

There are a total of 3 sessions Focus groups are done once a month during

months 3-6. 45 minutes Participants are compensated for

transportation costs and are provided incentives at each meeting.

Focus groups are designed to capture reoccurring themes and patterns.

Each session is recorded for transcription and greater accuracy.

Note-takers are also used for data collection.

INTERVENTIONS

IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS

Participants will be selected for interviews by random sampling.

Each interview is specific to participants cohort#

Cohorts are categorized as such: Pregnant (01) Prior birth (02) Prior termination (not a parent-currently sexually

active) (03) Prior termination (parent-currently sexually

active) (04) Sexually active (not a parent and no prior

termination) (05) Interviews are done at point of contact

(phone/in-person).

DATA COLLECTION

Survey data is collected and analyzed through the survey hosting site.

Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews will be categorized into common themes and safe-guarded to maintain confidentiality.

All paper documents are stored in a secure location in the research directors office with limited access from external institutions until findings are published.

All electronic documents are stored on the organizations secure H-Drive.

DATA REPORTING

Published as a peer-reviewed journal article: Journal of Adolescent Medicine.

Published on the “Publications” tab on the NIRH website.

Results presented at follow-up focus groups.

Will be available for use in academic and research institutions for reference.

CONCLUSION

Teens should not be limited by policies. It is a fundamental human right to

access these services. Public policy has the ability to increase

teen pregnancy and outcomes. Future research must focus on the

affects of public policy on teen pregnancy.

Modifications are to be to made to current policies to eliminate restriction.

Q & A

ANY QUESTIONS?