Medically accurate puberty education and effects on Teen Pregancy in Arkansas
Summary
Synopsis
Teen pregnancy is a worsening problem that results in high school drop-out, increased likelihood of having another child within 18 months, and disproportionately affects our underrepresented minorities putting them at an even higher disadvantage. We propose to impact this issue by developing and evaluating a standardized curriculum deployable by various providers and groups that once validated can be commercialized across the US.
Teen pregnancy in the US, and particularly the state of Arkansas, continues to be a worsening problem. We know that many of these girls will not finish high school, go to college and many will have another child within 18 months. We have been able to make some strides in this but as a state our numbers in teen pregnancy fall significantly higher than the national average. Teen pregnancy also disproportionately affects our underrepresented minorities, blacks and Hispanic teens, putting these groups of girls at an even higher disadvantage.
We also know that the education that young women receive in schools about puberty and self-health varies significantly from one school to another. This variability includes both content that is delivered in addition to how it is delivered. Puberty education is most effective when families and informed educators form a partnership. When paired with consistent and accurate content, such programs provide crucial knowledge and skills to help youth and their caregivers navigate the physical, emotional and interpersonal changes of puberty with positive outcomes.
This project will work to: 1) create a standardized curriculum for providers and educators to utilize for informing teens and families; 2) create a network within our state of education between our Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatric and Family Medicine partners. We will also standardize medically accurate puberty education and support for girls of all ages including young girl puberty education with regards to her changing body, through puberty and sexual development. This multidisciplinary approach will incorporate our learners (medical students and residents).
Specifically these groups will lead in person small and large group sessions with girls age 8-15 can attend with a mother or caregiver. There will be a cost to the program and if unable to cover this will be supported by the grant. These small groups can be in pediatric offices, churches, or schools. Large auditorium sessions will also be done 2 x annually at least on UAMS campus. The grant will help cover education development and evaluation as well.
UAMS will be the lead and we will slowly incorporate schools/ churches and other venues for access. This can become a sustainable project for years to come.
Keywords:
- Community
- Health Care