Elevator speech - Research Paper Example

Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Strategies Literature Review Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Strategies Teenage pregnancy has been one of the major social problems facing the UK since the 80s and has capture attention from members of public as well as the media (Arai, 2009, p. 13). Various strategies have been proposed to curb this issue including family outreach, youth development initiatives, community-based education and the school-bases approach. It is clear that the school based approach is related to the school based approach as expressed by WHO (n. d.).

This paper is a literature review of some of the strategies that have been adopted to deal with this problem. According to Allred and David (2007), it is clear that sex education is one of the ways that is used to address teenage pregnancy in the UK. This is through making sex education a necessary aspect of the national curriculum. In this way children get to learn about matters pertaining to sex at an early age and therefore can practice behaviour that enables them avoid risky behaviour. The Department of Health (2010), states that one of the strategies which can minimize teenage pregnancy is providing various methods of contraception to the teenagers.

In a report conducted by the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) (n. d.) it is clear that early intervention and contraception are the best ways to curb this problem. The other strategies that have worked include family outreach initiatives as youth development programs as expressed by Imamura et al. (2007, p. 633). Nation et al. (2007, p. 449) expressed that school-based programs have shown effectiveness in reducing the number of teenage pregnancies in the UK. This initiative was effective owing to the fact that teenagers were warned against behaviour which results to teenage pregnancies at an early.

Secondly, community intervention programs were effective as expressed by CDC (n. d.). This is because the members of the community including fellow teens, parents and guardians as well as health care providers are involved in tackling these issues. The final strategy that has been successful in dealing with this issue is the Teen Pregnancy Strategy as stated by the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG) (n. d.). This strategy is successful as it addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy based on the poverty perspective.

Use of contraception is one of the approaches that failed to address the issue of reduced teenage pregnancies as explained by Furrow (2011). The approach cannot work on its own unless when couple with other programs such as the school-based approach and the community approach. Allen et al. (2001, p. 21) and Kirby (2007, p. 56) agree on the fact that the current strategies that have been adopted to minimize teenage pregnancy range from school-based programs, contraception, community based programs, youth development initiatives as well as family outreach programs.

All these should be used together to help address this fast growing social problem. ReferencesAlldred, P., & David, M. (2007) Get real about sex: The politics and practice of sex education, Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.Allen, E., Bonell, C., Strange, V., Copas, A., Stephenson, J., Johnson, A. M., & Oakley, A. (2007) ‘Does the UK government’s teenage pregnancy strategy deal with the correct risk factors? Findings from a secondary analysis of data from a randomised trial of sex education and their implications for policy’ Journal of epidemiology and community health, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 20-27.Arai, L. (2009) Teenage Pregnancy: The making and unmaking of a problem.

Bristol: The Policy Press.CDC. (n. d.) Reducing teen pregnancy: Engaging communities. Viewed http://www.cdc.gov/Features/TeenPregnancy/Department of Health (2010) Teenage pregnancy strategy: Beyond 2010. Retrieved https://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/downloadableDocs/4287_Teenage%20pregnancy%20strategy_aw8.pdfImamura, M., Tucker, J., Hannaford, P., Da Silva, M. O., Astin, M., Wyness, L., & Temmerman, M. (2007) ‘Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in the European Union countries: a systematic review.

The European Journal of Public Health’ vol. 17, vol. 6, pp. 630-636.Kirby, D. (2001) ‘Emerging answers: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy’ National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,# 200, Washington, DC 20036.Nation, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K. L., Seybolt, D., Morrissey-Kane, E., & Davino, K. (2003) ‘What works in prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs’ American Psychologist’ 58(6-7), 449.Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (TPIAG). (n. d.) Teenage pregnancy: Past successes - future challenges.

Retrieved https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181078/TPIAG-FINAL-REPORT.pdfWHO. (n. d.) What are the most effective strategies for reducing the rate of teenage pregnancies? Retrieved http://www.euro.who.int/en/data-and-evidence/evidence-informed-policy-making/publications/hen-summaries-of-network-members-reports/what-are-the-most-effective-strategies-for-reducing-the-rate-of-teenage-pregnancies