Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Putnam, Connecticut, May 2001

Health Needs/Barriers to care: Teen Pregnancy

High teen pregnancy rates were identified by several key informants and focus group participants as a concern. Putnam has been identified in statewide studies as a high-risk community for teen pregnancy. ⁵⁵  However, there is some anecdotal evidence that the rate has decreased in recent years. As Putnam is a small town and numbers of births are low, it is difficult to state definitively whether there has been progress. ⁵⁶

Attitudes toward teen parents varied. Some participants felt that teen pregnancy is tolerated, even celebrated, in some families. Several respondents stated that teen pregnancy is sometimes generational - teen mothers are often the daughters of teen mothers. Sentiments were expressed that for some teens there is no role model for delaying pregnancy, that it is seen as a right of passage, that it is sometimes a response to dysfunctional family life and that many teens "have no goals, no vision for their future" to encourage delaying parenthood.

Using three year averages (1995 to 1997), most of the births to Putnam teens were to 18 and 19 year olds (62%) as is typical of the state overall (60%). However, half of those 18 and 19 year old mothers had not completed high school (50% vs. state average 42%). Over one quarter of Putnam teen mothers already had a child (27% vs. 20% state average). One Putnam teen mother gave birth to her third child during those years. Fathers averaged three years older than Putnam teen mothers, mirroring the state average. ⁵⁷ It should be noted that these statistics, while concerning, are based on only 26 total teen births over the three years.

Putnam, together with other towns in Northeastern Connecticut, participated in a regional teen pregnancy prevention planning process in 1998 through Quinebaug Valley Youth and Family Services. The study included focus groups, surveys of youth and providers, research and community collaboration. A survey of sexual activity was administered to 1,351 high school students from Putnam, Plainfield and Killingly in the spring of 1998. Ninety percent of students felt that the number of unplanned pregnancies among teens is a problem. Almost half of students have had sexual intercourse. Of students who are sexually active, only 58% answered that their parents are aware of their sexual activity. Of the other 42%, half are not sure if their parents know and half claim that their parents are not aware. Forty one percent of respondents had either taken a pregnancy test themselves or their partner had taken one. By far the most common answers to the question of why teens do not access services were embarrassment, fear and concerns about confidentiality. ⁵⁸ It is important to note that these results are combined for students from all three study towns. Only the last question was analyzed separately by town and Putnam student responses were similar to those of students from other towns.

In our study, there was unanimity on the best remedy to prevent teen pregnancy, namely providing more structured activities for teens during after school and vacation hours. Many were concerned that "kids just hang out and get into trouble because they have no other option." This recommendation was made by physicians, students, and parents in focus groups and several key informants in interviews. Recommendations included involving students in developing programs, sports options for youth that are not on formal athletic teams, providing transportation for students and/or having the programs at the school, and "making it fun". The need for a community center was often stated. Increased structured activities for teens was also cited in the final recommendations of the 1998 teen pregnancy prevention planning process - specifically increased teen recreational facilities and activities, programs that build self-esteem, sports programs for all youth, programs developed by teens for teens, and programs targeting at-risk youth and teen parents. ⁵⁹

Footnotes

55. J. Palley, unpublished data, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology/Family Planning Program, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2001.
56. CT Department of Public Health, vital statistics, R. S. Richter, Teen Pregnancy in Connecticut, 1998, Parisky Group, Health Status indicators in CT Rural Towns, 1999
57. J. Palley, unpublished data, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology/Family Planning Program, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2001.
58. Judith Delmas, Survey of Teen Sexuality, Quinebaug Valley Youth and Family Services, June 1998.
59. Plainfield-Killingly Teen Pregnancy Prevention Planning Strategy, July 1998; Windham Teen Pregnancy Prevention Planning Initiative Strategic Plan, June 22, 1998.