Associations Between Multiple Pregnancies and Health Risk Behaviors Among US Adolescents

Strategic Insights -

Recent research from the United States has explored the connections between adolescent pregnancies and health risk behaviors. Using data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which covered 14,211 high school students from 1999 to 2003, researchers discovered a link between multiple adolescent pregnancies and engagement in substance use behaviors, physical violence, and carrying a weapon. The study found that adolescents who exhibited a "high" degree of risk behaviors were more likely to have experienced or caused multiple pregnancies than those who engaged in no risk behaviors. Earlier sexual debut and more lifetime sexual partners were also associated with an increased risk of endorsing multiple adolescent pregnancies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was conducted between 1999 and 2003 and included 14,211 high school students.
  • Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare one and multiple pregnancies versus no pregnancies, while logistic regression was used to compare multiple pregnancies versus one pregnancy.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between multiple adolescent pregnancies and health risk behaviors, with the more risk behaviors endorsed, the greater likelihood of experiencing or causing multiple adolescent pregnancies.
  • Adolescents who engaged in a "high" degree of risk behaviors were significantly more likely to have experienced or caused multiple adolescent pregnancies than no pregnancies (or only one pregnancy) versus youth who endorsed no risk behaviors.
  • Earlier sexual debut and more lifetime sexual partners were associated with an increased risk of endorsing multiple adolescent pregnancies.
  • The researchers concluded that the health risk behaviors examined in the study can provide warning signs to influential persons who can potentially deliver important prevention messages to at-risk adolescents.
  • Cavazosrehg and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, titled "Associations Between Multiple Pregnancies and Health Risk Behaviors Among U.S. Adolescents" (2010;47(6):600-603)
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of preventing health risk behaviors to reduce the likelihood of multiple adolescent pregnancies.

Statistics:

  • 14,211 high school students were included in the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 1999 to 2003.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between multiple adolescent pregnancies and health risk behaviors.
  • Adolescents who engaged in a "high" degree of risk behaviors were significantly more likely to have experienced or caused multiple adolescent pregnancies (compared to those who endorsed no risk behaviors).
  • Earlier sexual debut and more lifetime sexual partners were associated with an increased risk of endorsing multiple adolescent pregnancies.

Sources:

  • Cavazosrehg, P. A., et al. "Associations Between Multiple Pregnancies and Health Risk Behaviors Among U.S. Adolescents." Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 47, no. 6, 2010, pp. 600-603.
  • Pediatrics Week editors. "Associations Between Multiple Pregnancies and Health Risk Behaviors Among US Adolescents." Pediatrics Week, 2011.