Input from the community and the government has been very valuable; however, the endeavour would be incomplete if teens were not asked to give their opinions.
Therefore, adolescent opinion on teenage pregnancy and teenage motherhood was investigated using a self-administered questionnaire in a sample of 245 students from Districts 1, 6 and 8.
District 8 was surveyed first using an open ended, one-page, anonymous, questionnaire. 123 students were asked to indicate why they feel teens in Saint John are becoming pregnant; what should be done to prevent teen pregnancy in Saint John; and what should be done to assist teen mothers in Saint John. Their responses were then used to design the second questionnaire administered to Districts 1 and 6.
School principals or teachers selected students to be surveyed. Approximately 60% of the students were female and 40% were male. The students ranged in age from 12 to 20 years of age and were in grades 8 - 12. A total of 122 students participated.
The top three reasons teens believe teen pregnancy occurs were: not using birth control; to keep their boyfriends; it is an accident.
When asked what should be done to prevent teen pregnancy some of the top responses were: better information and access to birth control; better and earlier education; and more teaching about the consequences of having sex.
Finally, when asked what should be done to assist teen mothers, the top answers were: daycares in the schools, help to finish high school, and counselling/support groups.