The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) obtains estimates of unplanned pregnancy rates through the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which is a surveillance project of the Connecticut DPH and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The PRAMS survey collects information on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy from a sample of postpartum women in Connecticut. Pregnancy intention is one of the many topics covered in the survey.

There has been a statistically significant change in the percent of unintended pregnancy between 2013 and 2021, with an annual percent change of 3.9% (p=0.003).  Although the test for trend of this time period was significant, changes between many of the individual years, especially recently, were not significant. Although the 2021 point estimate of 16.3% is very encouraging, it is not statistically different than any of the annual estimates for 2017-2020.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy reported that public spending for unplanned pregnancies in Connecticut totaled an estimated $209 million (http://thenationalcampaign.org/data/landing.

Data are current as of year end 2021.  Next update is expected by year end 2023.

Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of Children and Families; Commission on Children; community health centers and clinics; school based health centers; primary care providers; health professional associations; community service providers for family and youth; faith-based organizations; schools of public health, allied health, nursing, and medicine.

Teen pregnancy prevention and personal responsibility education programs have been proven on the basis of rigorous scientific research, to change behavior, which means delaying sexual activity, increasing condom or contraceptive use for sexually active youth, or reducing pregnancy among youth. Source: Department of Health and Human Services, Office Administration for Children and Families
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/news/hhs-teen-pregnancy-prevention-evidence-review

For current year priority strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

SHIP Strategies:

Provide culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate information and materials to support parents and guardians in their efforts to talk with adolescents about sexuality.

Educate women of childbearing age on increased risks of birth defects and multiple births among women over age 35.

Support reproductive and sexual health services.

Support and monitor school district compliance with mandatory Health Education curriculum.