Characteristics of the adolescent father and comparison to adolescent non-fathers - Abstract

Abstract

Kim, A. (1996). Characteristics of the adolescent father and comparison to adolescent non-fathers. Thesis in fulfillment of the requirements for an M.SC. in Health Care and Epidemiology. Abstract: Recognizing adolescent pregnancy as a public health concern has given rise to programs targeting its prevention. This prevention is usually in the form of sex education programs or family planning programs most often addressing the adolescent girls. The objective of this thesis is to describe the adolescent father, as has been done for an adolescent mother. Comparisons will be made between adolescent males who are and are not sexually active, as well as between those sexually active males who have and have not caused a pregnancy, in order to provide clues for the prevention and counseling regarding initiation of sexual intercourse or adverse sequelae of sexual activity. Data from the 1992 Adolescent Health Survey was utilized, which included 7,254 young males in school. OF this group 2,345 men (31.9%) were sexually active, of whom 181 (7.7%) had caused one or more pregnancies. AN additional 100 (4.3%) indicated they were unsure about having caused a pregnancy. Engaging in sexual activity was independently associated with provincial region, having academic difficulties, and use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other recreational drugs. Furthermore, it was associated with risk-taking behaviours such as binge drinking and involvement in physical fights.