Reproductive
attitudes studied
By
CHRISTINE VIDAL
Contributing Editor
Researchers
from the School of Social Work are conducting a study to learn what
is preventing teen-age girls in Buffalowhich has the highest rate of
teen pregnancy in New York State and one of the highest in the nationfrom
taking advantage of area reproductive-health services.
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Photo
from Tahra Makinson-Sander's ezine documentary on teen pregnancy. |
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"Girls
in Charge: A Collaborative Approach to Assessing Perceived Barriers
in Reproductive Health Care" is the first local program designed to
learn about Buffalo girls' attitudes toward reproductive health care,
according to Mark Cameron, assistant professor of social work and one
of the study's investigators.
The study
will focus on Buffalo neighborhoods "with alarmingly high rates of teen
pregnancy," said Cameron.
The neighborhoods
identified for the study, consisting primarily of low-income households,
have an average teen-pregnancy rate of 212.9 per 1,000, which is among
the highest rates in the United States.
Studies
have found that teen mothers often suffer severe economic and social
difficulties, Cameron noted. In addition, children of teen mothers have
been found more often to experience child abuse and delayed physical
development.
The study
will use peer researchers chosen from The Teen "Reality" Theatre Group,
a program of Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie County that brings
sexuality information and life issues to teens through peer-created
and -performed skits.
The concept
of using peer interviewers, Cameron said, is believed to encourage open
communication. This research design also is intended to develop new
skills for the teen interviewers that will be useful in other areas
of their lives, he added.
Faculty
members from the School of Social Work will work with girls from the
theater group to develop a survey and teach them the skills they will
need to conduct interviews.
Peer researchers
will ask girls from five Buffalo neighborhoods questions regarding their
understanding and beliefs about reproductive-health services, and what
might prevent them from using those services.
"We want
to learn the girls' understandings, beliefs and attitudes about the
use of reproductive health services," Cameron said. "We want to know
the extent to which they may have knowledge of what services are available
and how these services are perceived."
The girls'
patterns of accessing available reproductive health resources also will
be explored.
In addition
to Cameron, co-investigators include Howard Doueck, professor, and Karen
Randolph, assistant professor, both in the School of Social Work. Students
enrolled in the School of Social Work MSW and Ph.D. programs will serve
as research associates. Susan Peimer, assistant dean for development
at the School of Social Work and a past president of Planned Parenthood
of Buffalo and Erie County, serves as a consultant. The project is being
conducted in conjunction with Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie
County, and Buffalo Partners Linking to Address Adolescent Needs (BPLAAN).
The study
is funded by a grant from WNY Women's Fund, a group dedicated to addressing
fundamental issues of concern to women and girls in Western New York.