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Poverty, disadvantage and intentional teenage pregnancy

Background

There is strong evidence to support the link between poverty, disadvantage and teenage pregnancy. Research into teenage pregnancy is likely to have particular relevance to those young people facing poverty and disadvantage. However, less research has actually explored how the experience of poverty and disadvantage may increase the likelihood of teenage pregnancy, for example, in influencing teenagers’ decision-making over pregnancy. More specifically, research has yet to explore how poverty and disadvantage may affect teenagers’ decisions to become pregnant intentionally. TSA has recently received a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that will enable us to undertake research into this important issue, and correct an important gap in the evidence-base.

The Project

The project has 4 main aims:

• To explore and identify how poverty and disadvantage influence teenagers’ decisions to become pregnant
  intentionally.
• To identify the most pressing support needs of those intentionally pregnant in areas of poverty and disadvantage.
• To challenge existing stereotypes and the associated policy and practice emphasis towards teenage unintended pregnancy.
• To enable the perceptions and experiences of teenagers pregnant intentionally to inform the development of educational materials, suitable for use in health promotion and pregnancy prevention initiatives.

Two focus group discussions with teenage girls and boys aged between 13 and 18 years old will be held to explore interpretations of intended and unintended pregnancy. These will inform the development of a screening tool to determine suitability for interview. To be eligible for interview young men and women will be selected purposively as those who are facing poverty and disadvantage (based on geographical location), under 18 years old, pregnant (or partner of) or a parent of a child less than 6 months old and pregnant intentionally. 50 in-depth, face-to-face interviews will be conducted among a wide range of young people recruited from a mixture of youth advisory centres, health clinics, youth clubs and family centers. Sites will be purposively selected from areas of poverty and disadvantage, in both rural and urban areas in the north and south of England.

Timetable and Staffing

The project will take place over 15 months from May 1st 2004. Dr Lester Coleman is the Project Manager. Suzanne Cater is the Research Officer.

Further information

If you would like to find out more about the project please contact Suzanne Cater (Research Officer) on 01273 647338 or scater@tsa.uk.com.