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Is education the best contraception: The case of teenage pregnancy in England?

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  • Girma, Sourafel
  • Paton, David

Abstract

This paper examines potential explanations for recent declines in teenage pregnancy in England. We estimate panel data models of teenage conception, birth and abortion rates from regions in England. Although point estimates are consistent with the promotion of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) having a negative impact on teenage pregnancy rates, the effects are generally small and statistically insignificant. In contrast, improvements in educational achievement and, to a lesser extent, increases in the non-white proportion of the population are associated with large and statistically significant reductions in teenage pregnancy.

Suggested Citation

  • Girma, Sourafel & Paton, David, 2015. "Is education the best contraception: The case of teenage pregnancy in England?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:131:y:2015:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.02.040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Raquel Pires & Anabela Araújo-Pedrosa & Joana Pereira & Maria Cristina Canavarro, 2021. "How Can Unintended Pregnancies Be Prevented among Adolescents Who Engaged in Sexual Intercourse at Earlier Ages? The Role of Female Education and Partner Age Difference," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Jesman Chintsanya & Monica Magadi & Gloria Likupe, 2021. "A Multilevel Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Childbearing in Malawi," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Andrew J Baxter, Mr & Dundas, Ms Ruth & Popham, Dr Frank & Craig, Dr Peter, 2021. "How effective was England's teenage pregnancy strategy? A comparative analysis of high-income countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).

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