Group Scholarly Paper: Kent County

Adam Bennett, Brooke Bracy, Katelyn Gaffney, Megan Lammers,Danielle Loomis, Marcos
Madrigal, Jillian Queen, and Haley Vanwormer
Ferris State University











Group Scholarly Paper: Kent County
Kent County is located in southwest Michigan and has a total population of 602,622
(Michigan, 2012). When comparing Kent County to state and national averages, one can find
many strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths include: lower incidences of heart
disease and cancer, a higher percentage of residents with bachelor degrees than other counties in
Michigan, and a lower percentage of uninsured adults than the national benchmark (Michigan,
2012). The weaknesses include: a higher percentage of teen pregnancy, higher incidences of
sexually transmitted diseases, and a higher rate of violent crimes (Michigan, 2012).
Teenage Pregnancy
According to the Kent County Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Profile
conducted by the Kent County Health Department in 2011 for every 1000 females between the
ages of 15-19 in Kent County, there were 42 teen pregnancies. That is over fifteen percent higher
than the state average of 35 and twice as high as the national benchmark of 22 (Michigan,
2012, p. 23). This is a very alarming statistic. One reason this statistic could be so high is due to
a low condom use rate. According to the same health needs assessment only 62.8% of sexually
active Kent County students used a condom while having sexual intercourse in the past three
months (Michigan, 2012). This increases the rate of pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases among this population. Daughters of teenage mothers are also 66% more likely to
become adolescent mothers themselves (DeGenna & Cornelius, 2014, p. 1). With such a high
rate of teen pregnancies, this makes a seemingly never ending cycle of young mothers giving
birth to daughters who will later themselves become teen mothers. This essay looks at teen
pregnancy in Kent county. The essay will explore the factors that can lead to teen pregnancy,
some resources that pregnant teens can use, why teen pregnancy is a problem, and some goals
that pertain to teen pregnancy.
Why Teen Pregnancy Needs to be Addressed
Teen pregnancy in Kent County needs to be addressed for many reasons. One reason
being the many social determinants that surround teen pregnancy which can make raising a child
difficult. According to the Michigan Public Health Institute (2012), Social determinants of
womens health such as inequity in access to interconception and obstetric care, poverty, the
food environment, violence, racism and stress have consequences for the health and well-being
of children(p. 23). Teenage mothers are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and other
substances while pregnant (DeGenna & Cornelius, 2014, p. 3). Pregnant teens are at a greater
risk for health problems and disadvantages than adult women. Certain health problems and
disadvantages can ultimately lead to an increased risk of developmental delay, illness, and
mortality of both the mother and baby (Michigan, 2012, p. 25). They are also unlikely to
continue their education. Only about 50% of teen mothers obtain their high school education by
the age of 22 (Murray & MicKinney, 2014, p. 478).
Problem Statement and Smart Goal
In Kent County there is a risk of pregnancy among teenagers related to unsafe sex and
non-use of contraceptives as demonstrated by the teen birth rate per 1,000 female population
ages 15-19 being twice the national benchmark (Michigan, 2012). As stated in Community
Health Needs Assessment and Health Profile (2012), teenagers who become pregnant face more
risks than adult women. They are more likely to receive late or no prenatal care, deliver preterm,
and deliver a baby at a low birth weight (p. 25). The risks of pregnancy, ways to avoid
pregnancy, and availability of resources are great ways to educate teenagers about pregnancy.
According to DeMarco and Harkness (2012), SMART is an acronym for program
objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound (p. 148). The
number of births to girls aged 15-19 in Kent County will be reduced by 20% from 42 births in
2011 to, or less than 34 in 2016. This SMART goal can help arrange interventions and necessary
strategies to assess a plan of action and results. DeMarco and Harkness (2012) state the Health
Belief Model is a, behavior change model that considers the severity of the potential illness or
physical challenge, the level conceivable susceptibility, the benefits of taking preventive action,
and the challenges that may be faced in taking action toward the goal of health promotion (p.
65). This model coincides with teenage pregnancy because teen moms may not take appropriate
action to prevent pregnancy or other complications. It is estimated only about 40% of adolescent
females have had honest discussions with their physicians about their sexual behavior (Harkness,
2012, p. 441). They also may not have the appropriate education or knowledge to adequately
care for themselves and a baby.
Resources
Kent County offers resources for teens who are sexually active as well as those who are
already pregnant. The county offers health education programs for teens thinking about
becoming sexually active and teaches ways to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Resources for
adolescents and pregnant women that are in need of help are all over Grand Rapids, a major city
in Kent County. Planned Parenthood and Pregnancy Resource Center are two major facilities
that provide services to help this population. Both facilities provide information about abortion,
adoption, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, and pregnancy
development. Teen Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is another local resource that provides teen
moms with support and advice through a mentor-mentee program.
Kent County Health Department offers health education programs similar to those of
Planned Parenthood and Pregnancy Resource Centers with a curriculum focusing on reducing the
risks. Reducing the risk curriculum is designed to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy and
exposure to sexually transmitted diseases which targets youth between the ages of 14 and 18
(Health Education Programs, 2014).
Planned Parenthood offers STD and pregnancy testing at low charge. Many insurances
are accepted at the facility and if the patient is uninsured, staff will help find an insurance that
may fit the needs of the client such as state-funded programs or lower fee scales based off of the
patients income. A patient without insurance can get a physical exam and a year prescription of
birth control for approximately fifty dollars or the emergency contraception, also known as the
morning after pill. This is a great resource for any teen that is in need of assistance and cannot
afford to visit a primary care physician (Planned Parenthood, 2014). Pregnancy Resource Center
is a facility that has numerous services that can help women in need. These services include free
ultrasounds, as long as the pregnancy is without complications, free pregnancy testing, and five
to twenty dollar STD testing. Walk-in appointments are welcome at any time and staff members
are available on hotlines or texting after hours (Pregnancy Resource Center, 2014). This is very
convenient for teens that are embarrassed to come in or just have questions.
Teen MOPS is a resource available that provides a supportive, nonjudgmental
environment where teen moms can come together for mentoring and encouragement. In Teen
MOPS, the teaching, activities, and friendships are all focused on the very distinct needs of
teenagers. Teen MOPS helps teen moms become more self-sufficient, confident, mature and
giving young women (MOPS, 2014). Teen MOPS groups can meet in public schools or
community centers, as well as in churches, and often meet twice a month for teaching through
the mentor-mentee program. The mentor-mentee program helps the young mothers make short
and long-term goals, and work on finances and budgets.
There are adequate facilities to help and support the pregnant teen population in Kent
County. Most of the facilities offer a great deal of information to help the teen make decisions;
the facilities provide thorough healthcare services for the mother and the baby at free or lowered
costs and can get information about anything clients may need. Both facilities are located right
in downtown Grand Rapids, making it convenient for teens to take city transportation or walk to
the facilities. However, teen pregnancy is still a problem because many of these facilities are
underutilized or the services provided are unknown. The facilities are closed on the weekends
and have limited evening hours which makes it difficult for teens to make appointments if they
work or are in school. These facilities and programs play a vital role in the reduction of teen
pregnancy but could be even more effective if the services offered were well known to this
population.
Conclusion
Teen pregnancy is a major issue in Kent County, Michigan due to risky sexual behaviors,
inadequate sex education, and community acceptance. With increased knowledge of the
resources available and the utilization of facilities such as Teen MOPS, Planned Parenthood, and
Pregnancy Resource Center, the prevalence of teen pregnancy in Kent County should
decrease. Getting education about the resources available, increased risks, and potential
outcomes that can result because of a teen pregnancy plays an essential role in reducing
pregnancy among this population.


















References
DeGenna, N., & Cornelius, M. (2014). Maternal drinking and risky sexual behavior
in offspring. Health Education and Behavior, 1-9. doi:10.1177/1090198114547812
DeMarco, R.F., & Harkness, G. A. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.
Health Education Programs (2014). Access Kent County. Retrieved from
https://www.accesskent.com/Health/HealthPromo/ed_program.htm
Michigan Public Health Institute. (2011). Kent county community health needs assessment and
health profile. Retrieved from http:// http://www.kentcountychna.org/pdfs/CHNA.pdf
MOPS (2014). The basic principles of a MOPS group. Retrieved from
http://www.mops.org/about
Murray, S. & McKinney, E. (2014). Foundations of maternal-newborn and women's health
nursing. (6
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ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Planned Parenthood. (2014). Information for teens. Planned Parenthood Federation of
America. Retrieved from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Pregnancy Resource Center. (2014). Pregnancy and abortion information. Pregnancy Resource
Center Grand Rapids. Retrieved from http://www.prcgr.org/