Epidemiology: Global and Public Health Thesis

The "where" category is at the right corner, and can be delineated as Fulton, Georgia. All three categories interact with each other to offer conclusions for the study. Additional factors such as child abuse and the crime rate can then be examined in terms of these categories.

According to Rosenberg & Handler, descriptive epidemiology focuses on the pattern and frequency of health issues for a population group, while analytic epidemiology searches for the determinants of health outcomes. Generally, epidemiological studies tend to focus on both of these in order to most adequately examine and remedy the problems involved.

For the specific problem of teenage pregnancy in Fulton, however, it is estimated that a descriptive type of epidemiology would be more suitable. In this regard, it is estimated to be of greater importance to focus on a descriptive approach of the existing problem than on factors that prevent it. In order to prevent it, the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy is first to be examined for its causes and effects upon the population. Other related problems can then also be examined.

Only after such a description has been provided can preventative strategies be explored, along with strategies to help those with unwanted pregnancies. Related problems such as crime and high school dropouts, and child abuse cases as these integrate with teenage pregnancy can then be also treated in a preventative way.

As mentioned above, when the problem has been fully described, preventative measures can also be implemented. The problem of teenage pregnancy in fact needs to be addressed in a two-fold manner: both in treatment and in prevention. Teenage mothers-to-be are in need of programs to help them with the various medical and emotional aspects of their pregnancy, as well as decisions relating to the baby and their own lives. Some mothers for example may want to place their babies on adoption lists, while others may elect to raise the offspring themselves. A third group may opt for more extreme measures, such as abortion. Both these groups need to be examined and consulted accordingly. In terms of general health care, it should be ensured that the mother's decisions are well informed and examined with the help of a consultant, and ideally the sexual partner and the mother's parents.Family support is often vital for successful outcomes, but not always available. In such cases, the clinic working with the young mother should provide as much emotional support as possible.

Prevention also has a variety of aspects. It is desirable to prevent future unwanted pregnancies in young mothers. They should then be provided with consultation regarding birth control and other prevention methods. They should also be consulted on gaining adequate employment and/or further education if they elected to drop out of school as a result of the pregnancy.

A further aspect of prevention is preventing pregnancy in teenagers who have not been affected. This can be done via public and educational programs. Teenage mothers can for example be recruited to help with such programs to make the population aware of the problems facing young single mothers. They can also offer advice regarding birth control methods and problems related to having intercourse at an early age.

Many facilities are available to teens who have fallen pregnant. In the current technological environment, the Internet provides many possibilities for consultation that were not available to many of this population before. Examples are Georgia Agape, which provides information for pregnant teenagers, and the Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) program, which is focused on prevention.

References

BMJ (2009). What is epidemiology? http://www.bmj.com/epidem/epid.1.html

Georgia Agape. (2009). Teenage Pregnancy? Important Information for You. http://www.georgiaagape.org/unplanned_pregnancies/teen_pregnancy.html

Georgia Department of Human Resources (2009). Adolescent Health and Youth Development: Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. http://health.state.ga.us/programs/adolescent/community.asp

Georgia Family Connection Partnership (2009). Fulton County, Georgia: Profile of Child, Family and Community Well-Being. http://www.gafcp.org/kidscount/profiles/Fulton_Fact_Sheet_2008.pdf

Rosenberg, Deborah & Handler, Arden. (1985). Descriptive Epidemiology and Statistical Estimation. http://www.uic.edu/sph/dataskills/publications/wrkbkpdfs/chap1.pdf.....