According to Ecuador's most recent census, 1/5 of pregnancies are from adolescent mothers -- elevating rates of poverty, maternal and child mortality, and birth complications. Hence, our research question: how do social determinants of health (SDOH) cause adolescent pregnancy in rural Ecuador?
Our research team analyzed 3 focus groups composed of 5-7 adolescent (14-21 years old) mothers who had recently (within two years) given birth in El Quinche, Lumbisi, and Pifo. In depth interviews with 10 key informants (health officials, providers, and policy-makers) were also organized to explore perceptions regarding interventions and causes of adolescent pregnancy. Our team interviewed until reaching saturation of information, validating collected data through triangulation. We applied grounded theory for analysis via open, axial, and selective coding using NVivo software.
Our data revealed that the root SDOH causing adolescent pregnancy includes compromised sexual education, shame in discussing the topic, and troubled households. Therefore, we recommend that Ecuador focus on improving the quality of sexual education in schools, creating a positive sexual environment, and encouraging female empowerment. Ultimately, gaining a better understanding of the causes of adolescent pregnancy can inform the formulation of more effective interventions in Ecuador and beyond.
Mentors: Rebecca Dillingham, UVA; Ivan Palacios, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Come see Keren's poster and other undergraduate research and creative work , April 22-29th at URCAD.umbc.edu!
Survivors to the Front is a zine that commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and provides our UMBC community members--especially survivors and victims of sexual and/or power-based violence--a way to grab the megaphone. Albeit, voices will be heard through a zine in a much different way, we are committed to building the platform by which survivor testimony can be amplified throughout our campus community.
The finished product (set to debut around April 24th) will be posted on social media and available for digital download. Print copies will be made available when campus reopens.
Thank you for your participation in this project. Although we will still miss all of the greatness and power that Take Back the Night and other SAAM programs bring to our campus, we know that stories still need to be shared and voices heard. Just so, we hope that you can submit your work to be celebrated, acknowledged, and felt by the UMBC community.
Questions or concerns? Please direct correspondence to Amelia Meman at meman1@umbc.edu.
Join Retriever Essentials team as the CCMA AmeriCorps VISTA/Program Coordinator for 2020-2021.Apply online here.Member Duties: The CCMA AmeriCorps VISTA will implement the operation manual to continue institutionalizing all Retriever Essentials programming, while updating the manual to ensure needs are met in the most efficiently. They will coordinate volunteers for daily operations of the food pantry, including donation collection, inventory, bag packing/delivery, and client shopping. The VISTA will also develop a fundraising plan to raise money to support the new permanent pantry space on campus and to fund a staff member. They will work to develop partnerships with departments and student groups and on and off campus partners to provide programming and events around food justice and healthy eating on a budget. Additionally, the VISTA will coordinate the student leadership board to help institutionalize Retriever Essentials. They will train students in researching and advocating for food and housing insecure students. The VISTA will create and update promotional content and develop marketing strategies. |
Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible, Gym Membership, Relocation Allowance, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Training, Living Allowance, Health Coverage.For best consideration please apply by April 10th, 2020.https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=94195&fromSearch=true |
UMBC is a community that celebrates our great moments together. We also rise together in times of need to meet urgent social collective challenges. Over the last few weeks, the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has hit close to home for all of us. On a daily basis we are hearing from students who have gone from preparing for exams to struggling to meet their basic daily needs.
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To donate directly to Retriever Essentials please click the link above or below and select the drop down menu that indicate "Retriever Essentials" The Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund acknowledges that sometimes we are faced with circumstances we could not have predicted ... circumstances which require us to seek help from others. Please support us in doing all we can to help students continue their education in the face of challenges they could not have anticipated.
In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Please consider making a donation to the Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund.
Thank you, |
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Greg Simmons, M.P.P. '04 For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.
All contributions raised are administered by the UMBC Foundation for the benefit of UMBC. |
