OBJECTIVE: To examine variations in teenage pregnancy rates in Trent region and to determine possible associations with local general practice characteristics such as the age and sex of the doctors. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: All 826 general practices in Trent region in existence between 1994 and 1997. SUBJECTS: All pregnancies of teenagers aged 13 to 19 between 1994 and 1997 that resulted in an admission to an NHS hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy rates for teenagers aged 13 to 19 and general practice characteristics: presence of a female or young doctor (under 36 years old), number of whole time equivalent practice nurses, Townsend score, vocational training status, list size per whole time equivalent doctor, fund-holding status, and partnership size. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, lower teenage pregnancy rates were associated with the presence of a female or young doctor and more nurse time. Practices in deprived areas had higher teenage pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: General practices with female doctors, young doctors, or more nurse time had lower teenage pregnancy rates. The findings may have implications for the mix of health professionals within primary care.
OBJECTIVE: To examine variations in teenage pregnancy rates in Trent region and to determine possible associations with local general practice characteristics such as the age and sex of the doctors. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: All 826 general practices in Trent region in existence between 1994 and 1997. SUBJECTS: All pregnancies of teenagers aged 13 to 19 between 1994 and 1997 that resulted in an admission to an NHS hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy rates for teenagers aged 13 to 19 and general practice characteristics: presence of a female or young doctor (under 36 years old), number of whole time equivalent practice nurses, Townsend score, vocational training status, list size per whole time equivalent doctor, fund-holding status, and partnership size. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, lower teenage pregnancy rates were associated with the presence of a female or young doctor and more nurse time. Practices in deprived areas had higher teenage pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: General practices with female doctors, young doctors, or more nurse time had lower teenage pregnancy rates. The findings may have implications for the mix of health professionals within primary care.
Keywords:
Adolescent Pregnancy; Adolescents; Adolescents, Female; Age Factors; Cross Sectional Analysis; Delivery Of Health Care; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Europe; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Health; Health Personnel; Northern Europe; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Pregnancy Rate; Reproductive Behavior; Research Methodology; Research Report; United Kingdom; Youth