1. Contextual and Ethnic Variations in Teenage Births in Texas: Implications for Policy Interventions.
- Author
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Nahar, Shamsun and Pillai, Vijayan K.
- Subjects
TEENAGERS ,CHILDBIRTH ,SOCIAL status ,CULTURE ,ECOLOGY - Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of socioeconomic and geographical variables on the percentage of teen births in Texas counties. Method:This study used vulnerability theory to select several socioeconomic and demographic variables for exploring the spatial distribution of underlying factors such as culture and socioeconomic status (SES). These factors, according to the socioecological model, are significantly associated with teen fertility. Factorial ecological methods were utilized to test the theoretical expectations of a socio-ecological model of Texas teen fertility. Most recent data for the study (from 2014) were obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. The unit of analysis was the county. The study examined the influence of the I-10 Highway on teen fertility rates at the Texas county level. The effects of population density and diversity on teen birth rates were also assessed using multilevel analysis. Results: Four underlying dimensions were identified: Latino culture, SES, minority stress, and population change percentage. Counties along the I-10 Highway connecting Mexico and Texas had significantly higher levels of teen birth rates than the other Texas counties. The effect of SES on teen birth rates varied significantly across selected clusters of counties. Conclusion: Our results suggest that teen fertility programs should consider that relevant macro-level social phenomena correlated significantly with teen fertility levels. Teen fertility studies should include relevant geographic variables along with other variables in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018