Strategically Timed Preventive Education and Media Strategies Reduce Seasonal Trends in Adolescent Conception

Study ObjectiveThis study sought to analyze the effect of strategically timed local preventive education on reducing teen conception rates during known seasonal peaks in March and April.DesignAll teen conceptions (age ≤ 19) from March and April 2010, 2011, and 2012 were identified using medical records data. Teen conceptions occurring in January 2010, 2011, and 2012 were also identified to control for any new trends in the community.SettingA city of 160,000 with 1 tertiary care centre.ParticipantsPregnant adolescents (age ≤ 19).InterventionsDuring the month of February 2012, preventive education and media awareness strategies were aimed at parents, teachers, and teens.Main Outcome MeasuresAdolescent conceptions in March and April 2012.ResultsConception rates in teens ≤18 years old were significantly reduced in March and April 2012 compared to March and April 2010 and 2011 (RR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.32 - 0.88, P = .0132). There was an increase in conceptions in March and April 2012 compared to 2010 and 2011 among 19-year-olds (RR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.84-2.9, P = .1500). Effect modification revealed our ≤18-year-old group and our 19-year-old group were distinct groups with different risk estimates (P = .0075).ConclusionsEducational sessions were poorly attended and contraception clinic volume was static. We propose increased parental supervision in response to media reminders as a possible explanation for the reduction in adolescent conceptions (≤18 years old) seen in March 2012.