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Prevalence and Risk Factors for Adult Paternity Among Adolescent Females Ages 14 through 16 Years

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Abstract

To investigate sociodemographic factors associated with adolescent females ages 14–16 years having children fathered by males age 20 years or older and identify differences in correlates across rural, urban, and border areas. The method section was a cross-sectional study using Texas birth record data. From 2000 through 2004, there were 29,186 births to adolescent females aged 14–16 years with valid paternal age. Prevalence of and adjusted odds of paternal age of 20 years or older were identified by paternal and maternal factors. The Results section Having both parents born outside of the U.S. was associated with a 5.29 (95% CI: 4.82, 5.80) times increase in the odds of paternal age of 20 years or older as compared to having both parents born in the U.S. Parental place of birth was associated with greater odds of paternal age of 20 years or older in urban areas compared to rural or border areas. Compared to those with average or high educational attainment relative to age, low educational attainment relative to age was associated with an increase in the odds of paternal age of 20 years or older. This association was present whether maternal or paternal educational attainment was low relative to age. Messages are needed to help adolescent females avoid pregnancy with adult males. In addressing this specific prevention challenge, it is important to consider maternal/paternal place of birth and its association with adolescent births with adult males.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Program Decision Support, Texas Department of State Health Services, Mail code 2836, 1100 W 49th Street, Austin, TX, 78756, USA

    Brian C. Castrucci, Jamie Clark, Kayan Lewis, Rachel Samsel & Gita Mirchandani

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  1. Brian C. Castrucci
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  2. Jamie Clark
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  3. Kayan Lewis
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  4. Rachel Samsel
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  5. Gita Mirchandani
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Correspondence to Brian C. Castrucci.

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Castrucci, B.C., Clark, J., Lewis, K. et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Adult Paternity Among Adolescent Females Ages 14 through 16 Years. Matern Child Health J 14, 895–900 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0527-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0527-5

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