Chenango County’s teen pregnancy rates on the rise
CHENANGO COUNTY – Teen pregnancy rates for the counties of New York state have been released, and Chenango is seeing higher numbers than its neighbors.
Although statistical data is a few years behind, figures from 2007 show that Chenango County had a total of 96 pregnancies in women from age 15 to 19 that year. While that may not seem like a high number, it represents 56.4 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in that age range. The number has actually decreased slightly from 2006, when there were 57.3 pregnancies per 1,000, but from 2003 to 2005, the numbers were in the mid-40 range.
“The teen pregnancy rates are up a little bit in Chenango County,” said Planned Parenthood of South Central New York Director of Education Margo Doyle. “The rates are always up and down. This is not a new problem. We’ve always had high rates in Chenango County and this region.”
While the number of pregnancies is up, Ingrid Husisian, the director of communications, said the news isn’t all bad. “I would like to highlight the number of people taking steps to not have pregnancies.” Planned Parenthood saw a 16 percent increase in the number of patients seen in 2007. “Teens are taking steps to not get pregnant. We help a lot of young people to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease,” Husisian said.
Compared with surrounding areas, Chenango’s rate of teen pregnancy per 1,000 female teens is higher than neighboring counties, such as Broome at 43.1, Cortland at 30.5, Delaware at 31.2, Madison at 27.2 and Otsego at 22.9.
“Across our four county region [Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego] we’re getting an increased number of calls from school administrators who are seriously concerned,” Doyle said.
While statistical data for the county has been released, Doyle said Planned Parenthood is waiting to receive more specific data that breaks down the pregnancy rates by zip code. The data is connected to funding streams and allows extra funding for zip code areas with the highest rates of teen pregnancies. “In Chenango County, we have several zip codes in that range,” Doyle said.
The funding allows Project Reach to coordinate programs in those areas. Project Reach Coordinator Shelly Bartow explained the programs can include anything from Big Brothers / Big Sisters to mentoring opportunities at the local school. In addition, Bartow works to educate the public. By partnering with local school districts, Bartow can give presentations, assist with sex education curriculum, and discuss programs in the schools. Bartow said the programs can vary from one school to another.
“In Oxford, we discuss abstinence, specific methods and diseases. In other schools, we might focus more on the decision making process,” Bartow said.
Sarah Bohnert, Registered Nurse for the Prenatal Care Assistance Program, said of the 53 patients she saw in 2007, 23 percent were between the ages of 15 and 19. When asked how the pregnancy occurred, Bohnert said, the majority of patients said they were not using birth control.
Doyle pointed out that statistical data suggests many young people are using birth control, but not in a consistent enough manner to make it effective. However, in a rural community, such as Chenango, the issue of access to services could be a problem. “While many people know Planned Parenthood provides services, access can be an issue if there’s a lack of transportation,” Doyle said.
Another problem is misinformation. “There is a lot of bad information out there about specific birth control methods. Teens think they know, but they might not have the right information,” Bartow said. Bohnert said she hears a lot of that bad information from her patients.
To combat the high numbers, the women stated, education and information are the most important tools. “We’re willing to work with anybody to get the necessary information out,” said Doyle. In addition to offering birth control and prenatal care, Planned Parenthood also works to educate the public. Bartow said she is willing to answer questions from parents, teens or schools. In addition, she said she can speak to parent groups or organizations about what steps can be taken to help prevent teen pregnancies.
“It starts at home,” said Bohnert. “Families need to make it clear what is expected.”
For more information about Planned Parenthood and the services they offer, call 334-6378 or visit their web site at www.ppscny.org. The web site contains an entire page with resources for parents. Many of the services available at Planned Parenthood are free of charge or offered on a sliding scale fee. “Lack of insurance is never a barrier to getting the services you need,” said Husisian. Services at Planned Parenthood are confidential and are available to people of any age or gender.
Although statistical data is a few years behind, figures from 2007 show that Chenango County had a total of 96 pregnancies in women from age 15 to 19 that year. While that may not seem like a high number, it represents 56.4 pregnancies for every 1,000 women in that age range. The number has actually decreased slightly from 2006, when there were 57.3 pregnancies per 1,000, but from 2003 to 2005, the numbers were in the mid-40 range.
“The teen pregnancy rates are up a little bit in Chenango County,” said Planned Parenthood of South Central New York Director of Education Margo Doyle. “The rates are always up and down. This is not a new problem. We’ve always had high rates in Chenango County and this region.”
While the number of pregnancies is up, Ingrid Husisian, the director of communications, said the news isn’t all bad. “I would like to highlight the number of people taking steps to not have pregnancies.” Planned Parenthood saw a 16 percent increase in the number of patients seen in 2007. “Teens are taking steps to not get pregnant. We help a lot of young people to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease,” Husisian said.
Compared with surrounding areas, Chenango’s rate of teen pregnancy per 1,000 female teens is higher than neighboring counties, such as Broome at 43.1, Cortland at 30.5, Delaware at 31.2, Madison at 27.2 and Otsego at 22.9.
“Across our four county region [Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego] we’re getting an increased number of calls from school administrators who are seriously concerned,” Doyle said.
While statistical data for the county has been released, Doyle said Planned Parenthood is waiting to receive more specific data that breaks down the pregnancy rates by zip code. The data is connected to funding streams and allows extra funding for zip code areas with the highest rates of teen pregnancies. “In Chenango County, we have several zip codes in that range,” Doyle said.
The funding allows Project Reach to coordinate programs in those areas. Project Reach Coordinator Shelly Bartow explained the programs can include anything from Big Brothers / Big Sisters to mentoring opportunities at the local school. In addition, Bartow works to educate the public. By partnering with local school districts, Bartow can give presentations, assist with sex education curriculum, and discuss programs in the schools. Bartow said the programs can vary from one school to another.
“In Oxford, we discuss abstinence, specific methods and diseases. In other schools, we might focus more on the decision making process,” Bartow said.
Sarah Bohnert, Registered Nurse for the Prenatal Care Assistance Program, said of the 53 patients she saw in 2007, 23 percent were between the ages of 15 and 19. When asked how the pregnancy occurred, Bohnert said, the majority of patients said they were not using birth control.
Doyle pointed out that statistical data suggests many young people are using birth control, but not in a consistent enough manner to make it effective. However, in a rural community, such as Chenango, the issue of access to services could be a problem. “While many people know Planned Parenthood provides services, access can be an issue if there’s a lack of transportation,” Doyle said.
Another problem is misinformation. “There is a lot of bad information out there about specific birth control methods. Teens think they know, but they might not have the right information,” Bartow said. Bohnert said she hears a lot of that bad information from her patients.
To combat the high numbers, the women stated, education and information are the most important tools. “We’re willing to work with anybody to get the necessary information out,” said Doyle. In addition to offering birth control and prenatal care, Planned Parenthood also works to educate the public. Bartow said she is willing to answer questions from parents, teens or schools. In addition, she said she can speak to parent groups or organizations about what steps can be taken to help prevent teen pregnancies.
“It starts at home,” said Bohnert. “Families need to make it clear what is expected.”
For more information about Planned Parenthood and the services they offer, call 334-6378 or visit their web site at www.ppscny.org. The web site contains an entire page with resources for parents. Many of the services available at Planned Parenthood are free of charge or offered on a sliding scale fee. “Lack of insurance is never a barrier to getting the services you need,” said Husisian. Services at Planned Parenthood are confidential and are available to people of any age or gender.
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