Identity of the article
Noone, J., Allen, T., Sulivan, M., McKenzie, G., Esqueda, T., & Ibarra, N. (2014). A Latino youth photovoice project on teen pregnancy. Hispanic health care international, 12(2), 63-70.
Issue of study
In this study, the researchers wanted to develop an in-depth understanding of the issue of teen pregnancy among Latinos in the Pacific Northwest region. Specifically, the study’s aim was to understand the community’s concerns about the high rate of teen pregnancy. The idea was to determine the weaknesses and strengths of the community’s understanding of the key causes of teen pregnancy.
The goal of the study
Using qualitative research, the researchers wanted to describe the community’s experience. The goal was to examine how the targeted group thinks about the problem of early pregnancy and the causes of the problem. In this case, the researchers did not manipulate any variable. They obtained opinions from the participants in order to develop a description of the community’s perceptions of the problem. In addition, the researcher’s goal was to use the information obtained from the participants and present it to the community in order to generate a dialogue. The researchers wanted to use the dialogue to develop a ground for problem-solving and a groundwork plan for the appropriate interventions.
Data collection
To obtain data from the field, the participants used disposable cameras and journals. The data collection process involved photographing and making notes on a participant’s perception of the causes of teen pregnancy in their community. The participants were given an opportunity to collect data from the field by photographing individuals but were instructed not to include the facial parts for confidential purposes. The information written in the journal and the disposable cameras were then sent back to the researchers for data analysis. This means that the researchers used observation and special questionnaires that were filled by the participants and not the subjects being studied.
Control of biases and preconceptions
To achieve a conclusion free of bias, the researchers attempted to avoid direct contact with the targeted community. Instead, they used the participants to interact with the targeted group (pregnancy Latino teens). In particular, the participants themselves were young people chosen from the targeted community. In this case, it was possible to obtain the correct information because the participants and the targeted group were peers and able to share information about the issue of teen pregnancy.
Type of data
The researchers used specific pieces of data to describe the phenomenon. For instance, the questions set for the participants required answers in the form of direct quotes. For example, the participants gave answers such as “the night environment (darkness) makes it possible for teens to get pregnant because they are alone and out of the sight of other people…” This quote was included to show that the issues of environment and poor infrastructure are likely to be a cause of teen pregnancy. The participants argued that their parents were “…Not cool to join”. This means that the parents are not involved in communicating with their children, which influences teen pregnancy.
Findings
From these quotes, the researchers arranged information in order to generate certain themes or causes of teen pregnancy among Latinos. These themes include risk for teens (environment and lack of parental involvement), pressure (level of sexual activity, the media and peer pressure), education (dropping out of school), community resources (poor health programs) and cultural values.
Conclusion
I agree with the researchers’ findings. First, it is evident that a number of risks are the major problems in most communities. For instance, environmental factors and poor parental involvement cause the problem in most American communities. Secondly, peer pressure and the media increased the tendency of teens to have intimate relationships. Thirdly, lack of education and the common tendency of dropping out of school are common risks. Therefore, these problems can also be identified in other parts of the US or the world because they are common, especially among the low-income populations.