In 2020, with support from EMpower’s Girls Fund program, ROH carried out a two-part quantitative and qualitative research project in order to better understand the risk factors that affect adolescent pregnancy. ROH issued an anonymous, self-administered survey to 119 adolescent women and girls who have had teen pregnancies in order to understand their unique situations before becoming pregnant and identify any common factors that generate a disproportionate risk of teen pregnancy for some.
The survey assessed risk factors experienced prior to pregnancy including participants’ family and household functioning, self-esteem, experiences with romantic and sexual relationships, and any risky behaviors that participants engaged in. Questions also covered girls’ experiences during their pregnancy including social and financial support, and their experiences accessing reproductive health services throughout their adolescence.
