Student Discussion That Needs to Be Responded to:

The mother and the child are significantly in danger when a teen is pregnant. Several risk factors and antecedents accompany adolescent pregnancy. These variables include ethnicity, people’s social and economic position, and the environment in which children are raised. Children raised by a single parent or in homes with frequent arguments between parents are more at risk of becoming pregnant as teenagers than kids reared in harmonious homes with both parents. Illegal drug use and participation in early pregnancy are two additional factors that increase the likelihood of pregnancy in teenagers. Teenage pregnancies are a risk for children exposed to drugs because they cannot defend themselves and make mature sexual choices (Chakole et al., 2022). Since they are simpler to eradicate in modern society, it is crucial to understand the variables that increase the risk of adolescent pregnancy.

The WIC Works resource program and Fritters are two resources made available to assist teen mothers. A national initiative in the US called WIK works resource program ensures that all teen expectant moms receive adequate nutrition both during and after pregnancy. This initiative provides financial support to new and expecting mothers so they can get healthy food for themselves and their children (Brindis et al., 2020). Fitters is a local resource in Orange County that welcomes pregnant teenage girls into a community of other women who have experienced the same stage of life. Pregnant teenagers are taught by the more experienced women the value of continuing their education, parenting and preserving healthy relationships.

Kentucky now has a 28 percent pregnancy rate. Teen pregnancy has significantly dropped in Kentucky over the past ten years. In 2013, there were 7220 pregnancies among teens between 15 and 19 years. Three thousand three hundred two babies were born by teens in 2020. Seventy-eight percent of the adolescents were between the ages of 18 and 19. Fifteen percent of the teens have already had their firstborn by 2020 and are now having either their second or third pregnancy (Hyden & Shannon, 2022). The fact that more youths are seeking higher education could cause a decline in teen pregnancies in Kentucky.

Original Discussion Prompt:

Assessment Description

Adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a high-risk situation because it poses serious health risks for the mother and the baby. Describe various risk factors or precursors to adolescent pregnancy. Research community and state resources devoted in adolescent pregnancy and describe at least two of these resources. Research the teen pregnancy rates for the last 10 years for your state and community. Has this rate increased or decreased? Discuss possible reasons for an increase or decrease.