Pregnancy in adolescents is very common these days and can happen to anyone who engages in unsafe sex so knowing the risk factors is important when providing teaching to this age group.
Some common risk factors putting adolescents at risk may be poverty, improper education, and having a mother who gave birth before the age of 20. Some other uncommon risk factors can include being from a single parent home, family conflict that is not easily handled, early sexual activity, substance abuse or history of sexual abuse.
Race and ethnicity can be a factor but those alone do not increase risks as much.
There are many resources devoted to teenage pregnancy, including, the Tennessee Department of Health Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program. They provide education for both pregnancy prevention as well as services and support for pregnant or already parenting teens in the community.
You can find them call at 615-741-7353 for more information. A state resource available is Teen Pregnancy Program on Office of Adolescent Health. They provide education and support nationally for teenage pregnancy and prevention.
According to Virginia performs, over the past 10 years from 2006 to 2015, teenage pregnancy has generally declined to 17.1 births from 35.2 births per 1,000 females ages 15-19. This puts Virginia at the 12th lowest for teenage birthrates out of all 50 United States.
This is most likely due to Virginia's efforts to provide education on preventing teenage pregnancy by offering family planning services, children's access to primary care providers, mental/substance abuse services, and check-ups after delivery.
Overall, prevention is key and the best way is through education on the risk factors, risks involved with teenage pregnancy, and services available.
Commonwealth of Virginia. (2017). Virginia Performs:
Teen Pregnancy.
Edelman, C.,Kudzma, E., Mandle, C. (2010). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span, 7th Edition. [Pageburstl]. Risk and Protective Factors.