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Repeat births among teens still prevalent despite decline
Despite the decline of repeat teenage births in recent years, nearly 20% of all teenage births are a repeat birth, according to study results published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
“Large disparities exist in repeat teen births and use of the most effective contraceptive methods postpartum, which was reported by fewer than one out of four teen mothers,” researchers said.
The CDC analyzed data from the National Vital Statistics System and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which included 364,859 US births to teenagers aged 15 to 19 years.
Researchers found that 18.3% of the births were repeat births; however, the percentage decreased by 6.2% between 2007 and 2010. Most repeat births were a second birth (85.7%), but some were for a third (12.6%) or even fourth to sixth child (1.7%).
According to researchers, American Indian/Alaska Natives were the most likely to have repeat births (21.6%), followed by Hispanics (20.9%), non-Hispanic blacks (20.4%), Asian or Pacific Islanders (17.6%) and non-Hispanic whites (14.8%).
Researchers also found that 91.2% of teenage mothers used a contraceptive method 2 to 6 months after giving birth, but only 22.4% used the most effective methods. However, teenagers who gave birth previously were more likely to use the most effective methods than teenagers who had not given birth previously (29.6% vs. 20.9%, respectively).
Differences in effectiveness of contraception also were found among race and ethnic groups, with non-Hispanic white and Hispanic teenagers using the most effective methods more often than non-Hispanic black teenagers (24.6% and 27.9% vs. 14.3%, respectively).
“Evidence-based approaches are needed to reduce repeat teen childbearing,” researchers said. “These include linking pregnant and parenting teens to home visiting and similar programs that address a broad range of needs, and offering postpartum contraception to teens, including long-acting methods of reversible contraception.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
