UB Study to Examine Buffalo Teens' Attitudes Toward Reproductive Health Care

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Researchers from the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo are conducting a study to learn what is preventing teen-age girls in Buffalo -- which has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in New York State and one of the highest in the nation -- from taking advantage of area reproductive health services.

"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, Ph.D., 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 1000, 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 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 and role plays.

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 with peers.

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, Ph.D., professor, and Karen Randolph, Ph.D., assistant professor, both in the UB 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 the Western New York community, and to helping them overcome barriers to opportunity.