The Advocates for Smart Teen Choices, in cooperation with Washington Community Schools, are piloting a program to educate and inform Junior High and Senior High students about making smart choices when it comes to teen sexual activity.
Ericka Frances and Kathi Atienza, Co-chairpersons, say the group has met regularly since October 2014 to gather information from local professionals who deal with the consequences of these risky choices.
The Advocates for Smart Teen Choices is an initiative of Daviess Community Hospital and Daviess Community Hospital Foundation in an effort to address the #1 Health Concern identified in the Daviess Community Hospital’s 2013 Health Needs Assessment. Teen pregnancies and incidents of STI’s were rated as the #1 health concern in Daviess County. Seed money for the formation of the group was provided by a grant made through the Daviess County Community Foundation/ Smithville Charitable Foundation. Daviess Community Hospital is providing additional monetary support to the program, along with the Daviess Community Hospital Foundation’s commitment to provide sustaining support.
Co-chair Kathi Atienza stated, “It is exciting watching members of our community come together in an effort to see positive changes in teens and the choices they make through education and community support.”
Through a joint venture, the Advocates for Smart Teen Choices members are working with the WHS TV/Radio class who is producing educational/informational videos to be aired at the schools as public service announcements. These PSAs will be aired in conjunction with weekly broadcasts and at other available times through March and April. The topics covered by these videos are 1) local resources available; 2) sexually transmitted infections; 3) Social Media dangers; 4) teen pregnancy real life; and 5) the financial impact of a teen pregnancy.
The Daviess County Health Department reported just under 120 cases of reported STI’s in 2013. In 2014, cases reported to the Daviess County Health Department have risen to 244. There were less than five reported cases of HIV in 2014, but there are 22 individuals with HIV living in Daviess County. Reportable STI’s in the State of Indiana are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Neo-natal herpes, and HIV. Other prominent STI’s such as Herpes and HPV (Genital Warts) are not required to be reported. In addition, there were 47 births/1000 girls age 15 – 19 in Daviess County in 2012. There were 41 births/1000 in Indiana and the national benchmark is 21 births/1000 in the same age group.
Two community input sessions are scheduled for April 9, 2015 and May 5, 2015 at Daviess Community Hospital. The first session is to raise awareness of the risks and needs associated with teen pregnancy and STI’s. The second session is to share data gathered, further develop a plan of action that addresses these risks and to gain a greater base of community support. The public is invited to the input sessions. More information concerning the sessions will be shared in the near future.
