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Curationis vol.38 no.2 Pretoria 2015
Access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females in Tshwane
J.P.F. Masemola-Yende; Sanah M. Mataboge
Department of Nursing Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
BACKGROUND: The increase in the number of teenage pregnancies and its negative consequences has encouraged various researchers to explore the possible causes of teenage pregnancy. Findings from previously-conducted research have indicated different preventable factors that predispose female teenagers to pregnancy, such as staff attitudes and the lack of information resulting from poor access to health facilities
OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane, South Africa
METHOD: In this study, the researchers used a descriptive qualitative and exploratory research design to explore and describe the verbal reports regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane, South Africa. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 female participants aged between 15 and 26, who had been pregnant once or more during their teens
RESULTS: Two themes emerged, namely, access to information and decision making by female teenagers. Five categories that emerged were: access to information on pregnancy prevention; ignoring of provided information; the use of alternative medicine with hormonal contraception; personal reasons for use and non-use of contraception; and decisions made by teenagers to not fall pregnant. Females in this study fell pregnant in their teens, even though they had access to information
CONCLUSION: Given the complexity of this problem, female teenagers should use their families as primary sources of information for reproductive health promotion and educational institutions should build on this to aid the prevention of teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a global reproductive health promotion problem that affects female teenagers, families and communities, both in developed and developing countries, as children aged 10 to 19 years, unmarried and still at school, become pregnant (Mchunu et al. 2012:428). According to Marino et al. (2013:1029), teenage pregnancy may occur as early as age 10 to 12, prior to the teenage years. Occurrence of pregnancy prior to the teenage years is related to age at menarche, which is commonly used as a milestone for pubertal development and the onset of reproductive capability. Early age of menarche, such as nine to 10 years, predisposes and is related to early sexual debut and unintended pregnancy amongst female teenagers (Marino et al. 2013:1029). Teenage pregnancy may occur at puberty because ovulation can occur before the first menstrual period. It is thus important for teenagers to acquire appropriate knowledge and an understanding of their body and its functions as part of their life skills so that they are able to prevent pregnancy. Mataboge, Beukes and Nolte (2014:135) and Willan (2013:4) assert that lack of knowledge and misconceptions on conception expose female teenagers to unintended pregnancy.
Basic knowledge possessed by females on the physiology of the menstruation cycle and conception is known as functional health literacy. Functional health literacy is a domain of health literacy which Manganello (2008:840) defines as 'the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and access services needed to make appropriate health decisions'. Ishikawa and Yano (2008) define functional health literacy as the use of basic information and understanding the importance of self-care. Functional health literacy is one of three categories of health literacy classified by Nutbeam (as cited in Kickbusch 2001:292), that would promote self-care - including the prevention of unsafe sexual practices. The second health literacy category is communicative health literacy, which includes identifying the best sources of information, an ability to seek personally-adapted information from a medical team and the application of knowledge on a daily basis. The third health literacy category is critical health literacy, which is said to involve more advanced cognitive skills. These cognitive skills, together with social skills, can be applied to analyse information critically and to use this to exert greater control over life events and situations. The last two categories require teenagers to understand the determinants of health and negotiate any modification thereof. Some teenagers seem to be unable to negotiate modification of determinants of reproductive health, hence teenage pregnancy continues to be a problem. Low involvement or absence of involvement of female teenagers in decision making regarding the use of contraception or condoms also contributed to early pregnancy (Acharya et al. 2010:5).
Mangiaterra et al. (2008:2) reported that a total of 16 million female teenagers aged 15 to 19 give birth each year worldwide. This accounts for 11% of all births, with 95% of these births occurring in developing countries (Mangiaterra et al. 2008:2). In South Africa, a total of 160 754 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2010 and 2011, as stated by Statistics South Africa and the Department of Basic Education (cited by Mpofu 2012:1). A study by Grant and Hallman (2008:369) reported that one in five 18-year-old females in South Africa had given birth, with more than 40% becoming mothers by the age of 20. Teenage pregnancy may be coupled with complications associated with a variety of obstetric, social, educational and health-related problems, hence it is important to prevent its occurrence (Collier 2009:393).
The high rate of teenage pregnancy may be attributed to sexuality education in schools that is not mandatory as some faith-based schools are not providing it as part of their curriculum. Females who are not provided with information on the risk of teenage pregnancy may present with low functional health literacy, which could expose them to teenage pregnancy (Adeokun et al. 2009:38). A study conducted by Ishikawa and Yano (2008:117) and Mataboge et al. (2014:136) acknowledged that limited information and a lack of functional health literacy have a negative impact on decision-making skills and health outcomes. Furthermore, limited access to information is associated with less knowledge on the use of contraception services and pregnancy prevention. Decision-making skills are part of the functional health literacy that female teenagers need to possess regarding the use of contraception. A study by Ziyane and Ehlers (2007:10) into the functional health literacy of females with regard to pregnancy prevention found that female teenagers possessed insufficient or no information about contraception, which could negatively affect decision making regarding pregnancy prevention. Meanwhile, Willan (2013:7) reiterates the fact that as teenage pregnancy is related to multiple factors, including health literacy, the response needs to address all factors from the social and the structural through to individual behaviours, all of which can empower teenagers to make informed choices and decisions about their sexuality. Access to information which will enhance the level of female teenagers' functional health literacy on the prevention of pregnancy may curtail the observed rates of pregnancy amongst teenagers.
In order to enhance the prevention of teenage pregnancy and development of health literacy in South Africa, loveLife, a non-governmental organisation, was established to facilitate the development of health literacy on reproductive and sexual health services for teenagers (Peltzer & Chirinda 2014:77, 79). However, the problem of teenage pregnancy persists, especially amongst females whose self-esteem and expectations are low, as well as those living in poverty and in areas with high unemployment and few work opportunities (Braine 2009:411). Involvement of parents to ensure that teenagers obtain access to information on pregnancy prevention may mitigate the factors that predispose female teenagers to pregnancy.
Society in general must accept teenagers as sexual beings and should contribute to the prevention of teenage pregnancy, by providing females with information and decision-making skills, whether they are sexually active or not. Teenage pregnancy is considered to be, in part, the result of a lack of knowledge about contraception and human physiology (Ehlers 2003:15). This study explored the verbal reports by female teenagers on access to information and decision making regarding teenage pregnancy prevention, in a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane, South Africa.
Problem statement
The incidence of teenage pregnancies amongst learners of school-going age was reported to be 20 000 and primary school learners accounted for 223 of the total number of pregnancies amongst learners in South Africa in 2014 (South African Broadcasting Company [SABC] NEWS 2015). In Gauteng Province, South Africa, a 13-year-old at a technical secondary school in a township gave birth to a baby boy in June 2010 (Govender 2010:6). Teenage pregnancies in under-16-year-olds in all provinces were estimated at 12 120 - just over a quarter of the total of 45 276 learners that fell pregnant in 2009. Gauteng recorded the highest number, namely, 109 pregnancies, amongst learners in primary schools, with 74 being Grade 3 learners (SABC NEWS 2013).
Teenage pregnancy remains a health problem, even though information on prevention is provided by programmes for adolescents (such as the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative and loveLife) and at school through life orientation as a subject (Bharat & Mahendra 2007:93).
The life orientation subject provides information on menstruation and pregnancy prevention aspects, such as contraception (DoH & Department of Basic Education [DBE] 2012:12). However, some of the females in the primary healthcare setting where the researcher is employed experienced more than one pregnancy, even though they reported that they had access to information on contraception. Nevertheless, they made decisions that led to them falling pregnant. The researcher provided care to a number of 14-year-old females in ante-natal care who were attending a school where life orientation was provided as a subject, but who still did not use contraception. This motivated the researcher to conduct the study in a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane District, South Africa in order to explore and describe the verbal reports on access to information and decision making regarding teenage pregnancy prevention by female teenagers.
Research objectives
The objectives of the study were to explore and describe:
access to information on teenage pregnancy prevention by female teenagers using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane
decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by female teenagers using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane.
Significance of the study
It is predicted that the findings of this study will inform healthcare providers on the information that teenagers possess on the prevention of pregnancy and what informs their decision making to ensure prevention. This may inform healthcare providers as to what health education to provide to teenagers on negotiation and decision making so as to make sure that they do not experience teenage pregnancies. Programme providers may be made aware of the importance of exploring the functional health literacy information possessed by teenagers and the decisions made by teenagers regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Research design
Research approach and method
In this study, the researcher used a descriptive qualitative research design to both explore and describe the verbal reports provided on access to information and decision making by female teenagers at a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane District, South Africa regarding prevention of pregnancy. The design was chosen as female teenagers and those who experienced teenage pregnancy could narrate the phenomenon as they experienced it.
Population and sampling
The research setting was a primary healthcare clinic located in the western urban area of Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa, populated by low- and middle-income families. This primary healthcare clinic provides comprehensive health services 40 hours per week. Female teenagers and those who experience teenage pregnancy report at the clinic for ante-natal care, family planning and the well-baby clinic.
In this study, the population was female teenagers who were pregnant or those who had experienced teenage pregnancy and were using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane District, South Africa. The clinic provides bi-weekly care to an estimated total of 100 teenagers who are pregnant or are teenage mothers. For participation in the study, the researcher identified teenagers who were aged 15 to 19 years, as well as females who had been pregnant once or more during their teenage years, but were less than 26 years old. Participants were recruited from ante-natal care, the well-baby clinic, minor ailments or family planning by explaining the objectives and benefits of the study to females above 20 years of age and asking for voluntary participation. The researcher used purposive sampling to consciously select 15 participants who met the inclusion criteria, namely: pregnant teenagers; teenage mothers; and females who were no longer teenagers but had experienced teenage pregnancy. There were two participants who had been pregnant more than once during their teenage years, with the second pregnancy being at 18 and 19 years, respectively. The phenomenon explored was the access to information and decisions made by female teenagers who fell pregnant. The age of participants was therefore not restricted to the teenage years. An appointment was secured with each participant during the next visit or the earliest convenient time to be interviewed by a research assistant assigned to do the data collection. Females 18 years and older signed informed consent, whilst females under 18 years of age who were accompanied by parents during ante-natal care were included after obtaining informed consent from their parents.
The participants who were above 19 years of age were included as some had been pregnant once or more during their teenage years. Their experience on the phenomenon was needed so that they could provide verbal reports on how access to information regarding pregnancy prevention was when they were teenagers. The participants were recruited by word of mouth when they visited the clinic for mother and child services.
Data collection
Semi-structured interviews were used to get in depth information on the phenomenon studied (Streubert & Carpenter 2007:381). In order to avoid bias as a result of her personal experience, the researcher appointed the research assistant for data collection so as to ensure credibility and dependability. A consultation room with minimal distraction was used and interviews were audiotaped. Those pregnant teenagers accompanied by mothers were interviewed alone. In order to allay anxiety, the explanation of the interview process preceded the initiation of the interview. The same research questions were asked and probing was used. Interview sessions lasted 30 minutes and data saturation was reached with the 13th participant, after which two further participants were added to confirm data saturation. The researcher wrote the field notes and operated the audiotape recorder. Each interview and its field notes were allocated a number to represent the participant. The same research questions were asked:
How is the access to information by female teenagers on teenage pregnancy prevention?
How do female teenagers make decisions regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy?
Data treatment
Tesch's (1990) open coding method was used (as described by Polit & Beck 2012:509). Data were transcribed verbatim and the transcripts were read repeatedly to ascertain and confirm the meaning. The main stories were identified and were written on the side so as to capture any interesting data. Those verbal reports with the same meaning were highlighted. Verbal reports with common meanings were grouped together and later converged to represent themes. Later, the statements were reduced based on the verbatim reports and were given titles to represent categories. An external coder was used to conduct data analysis and consensus was reached between the researcher and the coder regarding the titles of themes and categories.
Participants' demographic data
The participants' ages ranged between 15 and 26 years. A total of 10 participants were pregnant, one 15-year-old was a teenage mother and four participants were mothers above 19 years who had babies as teenagers. Amongst the last group, two participants had experienced pregnancy twice during their teenage years. The level of education ranged from Grade 6 to tertiary. Most of the participants were single and unemployed: single (n = 10), married (n = 2), engaged (n = 3), unemployed (n = 11) and employed (n = 4). Some participants stayed with their parents (n = 10), others were married and stayed with their partners (n = 2), whilst some were cohabitating (n = 2) and one was single and lived alone (n = 1).
Two themes emerged: access to information and decision making regarding the use of contraception. During the discussion of results, verbatim quotations were used to support the categories and provide evidence.
Theme one: Access to information
An enabling environment has been created to mitigate the occurrence of teenage pregnancy in South Africa. School programmes, the family environment and media all support and encourage the communication of messages and sharing of information regarding the prevention of teenage pregnancy. Three categories emerged from this theme and are discussed below in more detail.
Access to information on prevention of pregnancy
Multiple providers of information regarding teenage pregnancy prevention were identified in this study, namely, the DBE, healthcare providers, mothers, peers, boyfriends and the media. Mothers, peers and boyfriends mainly provided information to the females with regard to accessing contraception. Life Orientation and school health programmes are provided in schools in most developing countries, primarily to educate young people about sexuality and sexual relationships, including prevention of teenage pregnancy. The school is regarded as a captive setting in which to reach a large audience of young people, hopefully before they initiate sexual activity.
Some participants reported access to the provision of information even though they were teenage mothers. They verbalised that:
'They teach us at school about life skills, reproductive health, coping skills and sex education, like prevention, STI [sexually-transmitted infections] and HIV.' (18 years old)
'The school health nurses come to our school to teach us about things like menstruation, pregnancy, diseases and prevention and correct skills on condom use.' (18 years old)
'There is the sister that comes at school every Wednesday to teach us about condoms, HIV and STI.' (15 years old)
Access to information regarding pregnancy prevention services was provided by mothers, especially those who became concerned when discovering that their teenage daughters were having sexual relationships with boys. The first thing that came to the mind of those mothers was that their daughters were now sexually active and this would lead to pregnancy, STI and or HIV. Mothers gave information as reported by the participants:
'When my mother saw me with a boy for the first time, she said "sho, sho, you must go to the clinic for injection."' (24 years old)
'My mother explained to me that "my child I see that you are now in love. You must go to the clinic and inject because when you are going to sleep with that person, you are going to be pregnant."' (26 years old)
'I told my mother that I am going to stay with my boyfriend and she said it again that I am going to fall pregnant. In February 2006 I left school and came to Pretoria to stay with my boyfriend. When I came to Pretoria I forgot about prevention and my mother's words. In April I fell pregnant for the second time. In July my mother recognised that I am really pregnant and I said that I have only gained weight as I have a child.' (24 years old)
In this study, peers included friends and boyfriends and were reported as providers of information because females discuss many topics freely with their peers which they would rarely discuss openly with their mothers, sisters or healthcare providers. Some female teenagers were geared toward teenage pregnancy prevention and shared such information with their peers. Friends and boyfriends were reported to be providers of information as follows:
'I used to talk with my friends at school about going to the clinic for prevention, boyfriends and having sex.' (16 years old)
'My boyfriend once told me that I must go to the clinic for injection.' (18 years old)
The media is also a source of knowledge and information on contraception in this study, as reported by participants. The participants viewed the media as a source of information, especially for issues such as sexual health and sexual intercourse. Participants reported that:
'On the radio there is a sister who talks about prevention and diseases; even in True Love magazine you can read about it.' (18 years old)
'TV stories like "Intersections" talk about sex [sexual intercourse] and use of condoms.' (19 years old)
Ignoring the provided information
On the other hand, it was observed in this study that opportunities afforded to female teenagers to develop health literacy were ignored and were sometimes deliberately undermined by these females, who then fell pregnant. One participant who had a baby at the age of 16 said:
'I was not listening in class because I don't like topics on pregnancy prevention, and Life Orientation class is the one I was not attending, I was going out when it starts.' (16 years old)
Another one said:
'I did know but I would not listen to nobody. I was drinking and mixing with the wrong friends.' (17 years old)
Knowing how pregnancy occurs did not help to prevent a second teenage pregnancy, because the experience was ignored, as described in the following excerpt:
'I had the miscarriage three years back at the age of 15 years. I did not know that I am pregnant, I missed menstruation for three months then suddenly saw a lot of blood. I went to the hospital and I was told that it is a miscarriage and was told to use an injection. I stopped it and now I am 18 years and pregnant again.' (24 years old)
The use of alternative medicine with hormonal contraception
Some of participants used alternative medicine as they possessed inaccurate information even though they accessed contraception services. Participants who used hormonal contraception reported risky behaviour that would interfere with the effectiveness of the method. Participants in this study thought that herbs are the solution for managing side-effects such as amenorrhoea, which is encountered whilst using hormonal contraception. This was expressed as follows:
'If you know that you are going for injection, two days before you can use izimbiza [herbal concoction] like to clean, to clean yourself from the previous injection, to prepare yourself for the fresh one.' (26 years old)
Another participant stated that:
'When you use injection you don't menstruate, so you need to go to the traditional doctor to go phatsa [get incisions] so that the blood which has accumulated inside you comes out, otherwise you will get sick.' (18 years old)
Theme two: Decision making regarding the use of contraception
The theme on decision making regarding the use of contraception emerged with two categories, which are discussed in more detail below.
Personal reasons for use and non-use of contraception
Central to teenage pregnancy prevention in this study was the decision-making skills that acted as an enabler for the females who are at risk of teenage pregnancy. A participant who experienced teenage pregnancy twice, the first pregnancy being at 16 years of age and the second at 18, reported fear of a needle as a leading factor for non-use of contraceptive injections. The participants knew about contraception; however, they had personal reasons not to use contraception. Some female teenagers were not mentally prepared to use either injections or pills or to comply with the method. Condom use was also not constant as the participants reported problems of size and holes in the condom. Another participant who had been pregnant twice by the age of 18 said:
'I was scared of the injection, the pills I was going to forget them. I was scared of the needle and after my first child I prevented with Nur-isterate for only one month.' (24 years old)
'I heard some sisters saying that the injection makes your body to swell and shiny [sic].' (18 years old)
Possession of knowledge did not facilitate compliance with oral hormonal contraception as verbalised by the participant in the following excerpt:
'I used to drink pills a week before sleeping with my boyfriend because he is staying in Johannesburg and I don't have a boyfriend this side. It is boring to drink them when you know that you are not going to have sex with anyone.' (19 years old)
Another participant said:
'Pills makes your body to build up [sic] thus I stopped taking them.' (18 years old)
To some teenagers, the side effects of hormonal contraception, specifically the injectable contraception, were enablers for their use. Although contraception does have side effects, some teenagers reported feeling comfortable with the side effects whilst some had mental peace as they only used the injection and they were protected from pregnancy. One said:
'With the injection you don't worry about buying pads [sanitary towels] as you don't menstruate.' (23 years old)
The participant further elaborated:
'Injection makes you to gain weight [sic], but you forget about taking it every day, like pills which you forget easily and the next minute you are pregnant.' (23 years old)
Even though condoms are freely accessible in the clinics, there were various personal reasons for non-use. A participant said:
'When you put on a condom you find that it is too small and when you force to put it on it tears.' (17 years old)
Another said:
'Sometimes condoms have holes and tear easily.' (16 years old)
Decision made by teenagers regarding falling pregnant
Decision to fall pregnant: When females are in a sexual relationship they make decisions, such as the decision to have a baby. The desire by both male and female teenagers to do so had resulted in teenage pregnancy amongst some of the females in this study. These barriers were expressed as follows:
'We planned with the child's father that we want to have a child first before he marries me.' (18 years old)
Another participant who experienced a third teenage pregnancy said:
'In March 2007, I went to the clinic as I had burning urine; my urine was tested and I was told that I am pregnant for the third time. I cried as the Doctor told me that my pregnancy is 12 weeks and advised me to do an abortion and I told him that I am scared that I will die if I do the abortion. My boyfriend was very happy because our first child with him has died and I became pregnant again.' (24 years old)
The participant explained how the decision for the third pregnancy in 2010 was made. She said:
'I prevented [sic] from 2007-2010 when my boyfriend tricked me and said that I must leave prevention [contraception] because our baby is getting old and he is going to marry me.' (24 years old)
Another participant knew that unprotected sex might lead to pregnancy but did not mind falling pregnant because her boyfriend promised to take her to computer school. The participant said:
'My new boyfriend sent me money to come to Pretoria, telling me that he is going to take me to the computer school for computer lessons and will give me money. I could not resist when he did not want to use condom and I fell pregnant.' (23 years old)
Decisions to not fall pregnant: Some females made the decision to use and comply with contraception only after experiencing teenage pregnancy. The decision to prevent repeated pregnancy is communicated in the following excerpt:
'Since the sister has explained to me how the prevention works, I am now going to use injection not to fall pregnant again as marriage is scarce sister.' (16 years old)
Another one said:
'I will now use injection and condoms because my mother will kill me if I fall pregnant again.' (17 years old)
Some participants used the clinics and reported that they will prevent pregnancy as they now understand how to take the contraception. They said:
'I will not be pregnant again, I asked them [sisters] at the clinic [about compliance on contraception]. The sister that attended to me yesterday said that pills should be taken at the same time every day. Like if you drink them at six, you must drink them at six.' (19 years old)
She further added:
'The sister told us that if you know that you are going to have sex, you must protect yourself with a condom.' (19 years old)
Ethical considerations
Ethical permission was obtained from the university's research ethical committee and the manager of the primary healthcare clinic. In this study, the three main ethical guidelines of the Belmont Report of 1979, as cited in Polit and Beck (2012:252) namely, beneficence, respect for human dignity and justice were used. This included the principle of respect for persons or autonomy, whereby participants are treated as autonomous and capable of making deliberate decisions about whether to participate in research (Lobiondo-Wood 2010:252; Polit & Beck 2012:152-154). Assent and consent were obtained and no participants were coerced to take part. Participation was voluntary and no names of participants were revealed; only numbers were assigned to each interview recorded and the transcripts so as to ensure that no data will be linked to a participant when reported. This was done to ensure beneficence, respect and confidentiality. A clinic social worker and psychologist located in the nearby clinic were consulted to await referral of participants who might present with emotional manifestations during the interviews. However, none of the participants were referred.
The framework and strategies described by Lincoln and Guba (1985) (cited in Polit & Beck 2010:492) were employed to ensure the trustworthiness of data collection and interpretation thereof. Trustworthiness was ensured using the criteria for credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Credibility was ensured as the researcher was involved during data collection by writing field notes, conducted data analysis and data discussion as such she was immersed in the setting in order to ensure prolonged engagement. She also worked as a healthcare provider at the primary healthcare clinic. In addition, member checking was implemented in order to ascertain the credibility of the transcribed data. The research assistant was used to ascertain the dependability of the results as the research assistant bracketed by not influencing the data collection due to her knowledge of the phenomenon as she was a professional nurse during data collection. The researcher provided a thick description of the research design, methods and data discussions to ensure transferability. An audit trail of all the research processes is available to ensure conformability.
Evidence from the verbal reports by female teenagers in this study affirmed access to information on teenage pregnancy prevention. One of the providers of information on teenage pregnancy was described to be the DBE, who provided life orientation from Grade 4 up to Grade 12 which includes information on contraception and menstruation (DoH & DBE 2012:12). Family planning is one of the focus areas of 'Healthy People 2010', one of the goals of which is prevention of unintended pregnancy (Holcomb, Williams & Skipper 2009:20).
The verbal reports affirm that females grow up in an environment where information on teenage pregnancy prevention is accessible. Even though sexual health education is provided in schools in South Africa, the programme is reportedly not reaching the desired outcomes (DBE 2009:60). Holcomb et al. (2009:20) state that a lack of relevant information available to females may hinder the teenagers in making mature sexual decisions to prevent teenage pregnancy. Female teenagers need to access information before they consider using contraceptives, emergency contraceptives or termination of pregnancy services (Ehlers 2003:15). The females in this study have access to information from different people who were concerned about their sexual health, however they still fell pregnant.
Prior to entering formal school, families are primary institutions to ensure that children acquire reproductive health promotion information and skills. It is not a new finding in this study that, although teenage females are in possession of basic knowledge on sexual health, very few of them have used the knowledge into practice to prevent pregnancy. Willan (2013:4-7) reported that access to information is in place, however teenagers do not use it in their sexual encounters. Parents in South Africa are encouraged to talk about sex and reproductive health issues by a slogan: 'love them enough to talk about sex' as advertised in the media (SABC advertisement 2010-2011). As a primary socialising agent of children, parents are a trusted and a primary source of information about sexuality for young people (DBE 2009:62). Mothers in this study fulfilled the responsibility to advise their daughters on pregnancy prevention, however not all daughters implemented the advice to access contraception.
Peers may also be providers of reproductive health promotion information. In this study, teenagers talked to each other regarding pregnancy prevention. Teenagers are marked by significant psychosocial transformation and recognition in their social life, spending more time with peers and socialising with a larger, more diversified cohort with strong desires to be acceptable to both their close friends and larger cohort groups (Mason et al. 2013:1236). Programmes such as the National Adolescent-Friendly Clinic Initiative are designed to improve the quality of adolescent reproductive and sexual 'health services at primary care level and strengthen the public sector's ability to respond to adolescent health needs' (Dickson-Tetteh & Foy 2001, as cited in Baloyi 2009:3). In this study, information on anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system that facilitates the prevention of teenage pregnancy was provided at schools, however teenagers who were absent in these classes missed on this information. One teenager mother reported that she walked out of life orientation lessons, which may have had a negative effect.
It was evident from the results that, in addition to mothers and peers as platforms for information sharing on pregnancy prevention, public platform and media also played a part in information dissemination. Multimedia campaigns such as loveLife, Soul City and Khomanani have played a seminal role in improving young people's knowledge about sexual behaviour and, in particular, regarding HIV (DBE 2009:62). The media presents information during talk shows, short story series and internet websites. Xu, Che and Cheng (2005) (cited by Wu 2010:405) reveal that the main sources of knowledge regarding sexuality and contraception are the media, internet and peers. Ramkissoon et al. (2010:38) report that a survey on access to information revealed that the provision of communication programmes have an impact on young people's knowledge levels and behaviour in relation to condom usage. The findings were similar in this study, as these sources of information were reported to be playing a part in functional health literacy development amongst teenagers.
The use of certain medicines, such as anti-tuberculosis drugs, reduces the effectiveness of contraception. In the case of the use of drugs that interact with the contraceptive injections, such as tuberculosis drugs, the date to repeat the injection is set two weeks earlier for norethisterone enanthate and four weeks earlier for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. (DoH 2009:55). The participants who used herbs (izimbiza) whilst on injectables were at risk of drug interaction and low contraception efficacy. The UK Government (2014) reported that herbal medication lowers the efficacy of hormonal contraception and was reported to have caused unplanned pregnancy and breakthrough bleeding amongst users of St John's wort, a herbal medication used for mood treatment in United Kingdom. Clients are routinely advised to avoid the use of any drugs whilst on hormonal contraception as this may lower the contraceptive's efficacy (DoH 2012:24). Knowledge on drug interaction needs to be provided to teenagers to ensure pregnancy prevention.
The rate of teenage pregnancy remains unacceptably high, even though it is reported to have declined nationally. A high level of knowledge about modern methods of contraception is observed, however a large cohort of young people do not use contraception, whilst some use contraception inconsistently and incorrectly (DBE 2009:6). In the South African government's primary healthcare Settings there are two available contraception injections, namely, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (used three-monthly) and the two-monthly norethisterone enanthate (DoH 2012:28). Barden-O'Fallon et al. (2009:475) confirm that a main reason for contraceptive discontinuation is the experience of side effects, especially amongst users of hormonal methods. Weight gain with use of injections is caused by an increase in appetite if one does not manage one's eating habits or engage in physical exercise. High levels of oestrogen cause weight gain because of increased appetite and fluid retention (Freedman 2013:1). In contrast, Holcomb et al. (2009:22) state that there is no evidence of weight gain when using combined oral contraceptives. The non-use of hormonal contraception because of the side-effect of weight gain, as mentioned in this study, may contribute to the sustained incidence of teenage pregnancy. Such misinformation needs to be corrected so as to increase the use of hormonal contraception by teenagers and improve compliance to prevent pregnancy.
The fear of needles is a personal reason rather than a side effect, however it caused one participant to fall pregnant twice by the age of 18. Her personal reasons led to teenage pregnancy however that changed after the second pregnancy when she decided to use contraception. The DoH (DoH 2012:28) has listed amenorrhoea as having health benefits to females, including prevention of iron deficiency anaemia. The injections are regarded as improving compliance, as the clients need to comply with return dates only once in two to three months. In this study, participants regarded this as an additional personal benefit. Some of the participants in this study did not have misconceptions regarding amenorrhea and did not discontinue the injection because they feared that menstrual blood was building up in their bodies (DoH 2012:31). The study results concluded that counselling about side effects was an effective way of increasing continuation rates of contraception use and acceptance of side effects.
Some teenagers made a conscious decision to fall pregnant, as was reported by those in this study who had promises of economic gain and/or marriage from their boyfriends. Teenage pregnancy is not always unintended or unplanned, as alluded to by participants in this study. In some instances, a desire to access education becomes a risk factor that exposes teenagers to falling pregnant in order to gain financial favours, either within or outside marriage. Teenagers take decisions that disregard the risk of pregnancy and STIs, including HIV, because of limited access to financial resources. Both females in this study who fell pregnant as a step to ensuring marriage and/or financial favours to complete their education did not have these promises fulfilled. The studies by Nelson et al. (2011:277) and Maja (2007:72) confirm that mothers who are teenagers did not insist on or negotiate contraception and condom use with their steady boyfriends or 'baby daddy', as they trusted and loved them. Continual lack of financial resources acted as a facilitator to teenagers falling pregnant, as was reported by participants in this study. However, some teenagers are determined to prevent pregnancy. These multiple risks to unplanned teenage pregnancy point out the need for initiatives to ensure teenagers' access to information and multi-pronged programmes to prevent teenage pregnancy (Willian 2013:7).
Practical implications of the study
The study gave rise to various implications, as are discussed below.
Nursing education
Nursing curricula need to continuously update sexual, reproductive health and family planning information in order to empower healthcare providers with a broad knowledge regarding these aspects. The DoH and DBE need to review policies, curriculum development and teaching methods pertaining to teenagers' sexual and reproductive health education.
The collaboration between education and health should strengthen programmes such as peer education through involvement of both females and boys in teenage pregnancy prevention. Continuation of health education on prevention of teenage pregnancy needs to be a joint effort whereby education is also given to mothers and other family members.
Nursing practice
Health policies and standard procedures need to be emphasised, as the attitudes of healthcare providers were identified as a barrier to accessibility of reproductive health services by teenagers. Respect for teenagers needs to be instilled in healthcare providers so as to improve the quality of care and to allow reproductive services to be utilised effectively.
Nursing research
Although much research has been conducted on teenage pregnancy, other approaches, such as teenage-centred research, need to be conducted so as to explore the factors that affect the use of and compliance with contraceptive regimes.
Limitations of the study
The study was small, limited to pregnant teenagers and mothers out of their teens, reporting at one clinic, who had previously experienced a teenage pregnancy. It was conducted in a subdistrict, so the opportunity to generalise the findings is limited. Further research could be carried out in both the district and province.
Based on the research findings and their discussions, the researcher recommend that education on reproductive and sexual health should be provided before female teenagers become sexually active, with the involvement of both male and female teenagers. All healthcare providers should be trained in contraception and adolescent care in order to motivate them to use and comply on contraception. Furthermore, multimedia campaigns such as radio talk shows and debates in the schools and community on condoms and contraception methods should be conducted in formal and informal teenagers' groups at church and during sport activities. This will allow them to make informed choices on reproductive health issues that affect their lives.
It is concluded that female teenagers have access to information but lack the skills to implement it in order to prevent teenage pregnancy. Furthermore parents, teachers and boyfriends also provide information which female teenagers decide not to use. There is thus a need to support female teenagers, either with regard to postponing their sexual debut or with regard to use of contraceptives.
The authors acknowledge the University-based Nursing Education South Africa Programme which sponsored JPF Masemola-Yende for her master's studies, as well as the University of Pretoria, the managers of the polyclinic and the participants for giving permission to conduct the study.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
Authors' contributions
J.P.F.M-Y. (Daspoort Polyclinic: University of Pretoria) conceptualised and conducted the research during Masters' degree study. She drafted the article and responded to the reviewers' comments. M.S.M. (University of Pretoria) was the supervisor and co-researcher who approved the initial draft and finalised the article and became the corresponding author.
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Sanah Mataboge
University of Pretoria
16609 Regional Street, Mamelodi East
South Africa
Received: 11 May 2015
Accepted: 07 Sept. 2015
Published: 05 Nov. 2015


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text:
§460x–8. Zoning bylaws
(a) Authority of Secretary to assist any township or county in or adjacent to lakeshore; payments for technical aid
The Secretary shall, at the request of any township or county in or adjacent to the lakeshore affected by this subchapter, assist and consult with the appropriate officers and employees of such township or county in establishing zoning bylaws for the purpose of this subchapter. Such assistance may include payments to the county or township for technical aid.
(b) Suspension of condemnation power over improved property
No improved property within the area designated for inclusion in the lakeshore shall be acquired by the Secretary by condemnation so long as the affected county or township has in force and applicable thereto a duly adopted, valid zoning bylaw approved by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section and the use of improved property is in compliance therewith. In the event that the affected county or township does not have in effect and applicable to any improved property a duly adopted, valid zoning bylaw so approved, the Secretary shall be prohibited from acquiring such property by condemnation, if the owner thereof notifies the Secretary in writing of such owner's agreement to use his property in a manner consistent with the applicable standard set forth in subsection (d) of this section, and such prohibition against condemnation shall remain in effect for so long as such property is so used.
(c) Notification of owner by Secretary of use of property inconsistent with applicable bylaws or standards; requirements of notice; discontinuance of use by owner; condemnation upon failure to discontinue use
If the Secretary determines that any such property referred to in subsection (b) of this section covered by any such bylaw is being used in a way which is not in substantial compliance with such bylaw, or that any such property referred to in subsection (b) with respect to which an agreement has been made is being used in a manner which is not substantially consistent with such applicable standards, he shall so notify the owner of any such property in writing. Such notice shall contain a detailed statement as to why the Secretary believes that such use is not in substantial compliance with such zoning bylaw or why such use is not substantially consistent with such applicable standards, as the case may be. Any such owner shall have sixty days following the receipt by him of that written notification within which to discontinue the use referred to in such notification. Discontinuance of such use within such sixty-day period shall have the effect of prohibiting the Secretary from acquiring such property by condemnation by reason of such use. In any case in which such use is not discontinued within such sixty-day period, the Secretary may, in his discretion, acquire such property by condemnation.
(d) Conditions for approval by Secretary
Any zoning bylaw or amendment thereto submitted to the Secretary for approval for the purposes of this subchapter shall be approved by him if such bylaw or amendment contains provisions which-
(1) contribute to the effect of prohibiting the commercial and industrial use (other than a use for a commercial purpose as authorized under section 460x–12 of this title) of all property within the boundaries of such area which is situated within the county or township adopting such bylaw or amendment;
(2) are consistent with the objectives and purposes of this subchapter so that, to the extent possible under Michigan law, the scenic and scientific values of the lakeshore area will be protected;
(3) are designed to preserve the lakeshore character of the area by appropriate restrictions upon the burning of cover, cutting of timber (except tracts managed for sustained yield), removal of sand or gravel, and dumping, storage, or piling of refuse and other unsightly objects or other uses which would detract from the natural or traditional lakeshore scene;
(4) provide that no construction, reconstruction, moving, alteration, or enlargement of any property, including improved property as defined in this subchapter, within the lakeshore area shall be permitted, if such construction, reconstruction, moving, alteration, or enlargement would afford less than a fifty-foot setback from all streets measured at a right angle with the street line, and a twenty-five-foot distance from all contiguous properties. Any owner or zoning authority may request the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether a proposed move, alteration, construction, reconstruction, or enlargement of any such property would subject such property to acquisition by condemnation, and the Secretary, within sixty days of the receipt of such request, shall advise the owner or zoning authority in writing whether the intended use will subject the property to acquisition by condemnation; and
(5) have the effect of providing that the Secretary shall receive notice of any variance granted under, and of any exception made to the application of, such bylaw or amendment.
(e) Withdrawal or revocation of approval by Secretary; retroactive effect
The approval of any bylaw or amendment pursuant to subsection (d) shall not be withdrawn or revoked by the Secretary for so long as such bylaw or amendment remains in effect as approved. Any such bylaw or amendment so approved shall not be retroactive in its application.


text:
What do you think of the Western Bypass?
58 comments
I think it is funny. Let's see the rich battle the rich. I still have potholes in my street.
It will never happen. Just politics as usual in Albemarle County. We keep electing the same people so nothing ever gets done to improve Albermarle County.
Albemarle has squandered all of the money it was given by the state to build the bypass and so stalling is all they seem to know how to do when the question is raised as to why it hasn't been built yet. Do what you promised to do in order to get the money in the first place and quit "cowtowing" to the rich. My tax dollars that were given to you to build the bypass in the first place are still being squandered by the ACBOS. I wonder if Cuccinelli would be interested in finding out where all the money went. I'd sure like to see those documents made public!
Seth Denizen: "It's part of the same logic as Meadowcreek Parkway, and it's the logic that puts transportation and development goals of the city over the priorities of residential neighborhoods."
Hey Seth, why don't you ask the folks who live in the Woodhaven neighborhood about their priorities? Or the folks who live on Park Street? Most of them would tell you that they cannot wait for the Meadowcreek Parkway to be built so that their neighborhoods can stop being a thouroughfare for folks trying to get downtown.
While the Western Bypass threatens untold havoc on many County neighborhoods, nobody's house is going to get demolished if the City finishes its portion of the Meadowcreek Parkway. In fact, traffic pressure in several neighborhoods will decrease once the Parkway is complete.
long overdue
Those who blindly oppose the inevitable population growth, oppose most all transportation projects. They think more safe roads will invite more people to move here.
What about the safety and well being of those who live here?
Yes we need a Rt 29 bypass with some local traffic interchanges.
@Don, you are missing the point. The solution to "inevitable population growth" is to encourage transit-oriented development (you can google the term), which enourages denser housing (e.g., Belvedere) with proximity to shopping and services and enables better transit options that reduce the need for automobile traffic. Arlington, VA, was able to reshape itself from a strip-mall wasteland to a thriving community through policies that focused on transit-oriented development. New roads are rarely the answer--they just increase traffic and perpetuate the problem.
The Meadowcreek Parkway won't do a thing for residents of Park Street unless speed bump are also put there. Reducing the traffic count will only increase the speed.
The most severe problems on Park are during rush hour and it will always be a a route for people who think they can beat the crowds by going a different way, especially during rush hour. The people who are in a hurry and want to beat the crowd are the ones most likely to speed.
The biggest downside to the Meadowcreek Parkway is that it will make 5th St a thoroughfare for people trying to get through town creating an unfixable problem at the bottleneck of 5th/Ridge and Main, further blocking traffic in both directions at that intersection.
"The biggest downside to the Meadowcreek Parkway is that it will make 5th St a thoroughfare for people trying to get through town creating an unfixable problem at the bottleneck of 5th/Ridge and Main, further blocking traffic in both directions at that intersection."
Can I get an Amen?! This is already a nightmare intersection...takes several light cycles to get through as it is. I can't imagine it if they funnel even more traffic through the area.
Charlottesville / Albemarle politics are a joke. A minority of socialists in environmentalist sheep's clothing have ruined this community. It would be funny if it were not harming the economy of the rest of the Commonwealth. All state funding for both municipalities should be cut off until this road is completed. Or the state should take the needed land, build the road, and make the local governments pay the bill. Enough is enough.
@Dawg, Though I agree with you that density and transit are helpful solutions, there is no transit in Belvedere. The bus doesn't go past North Ave on Rio Rd. For better or worse, Central Virginia is stuck with a car oriented society for at least the majority of the rest of your and my lifetime. Some roads are badly needed and long overdue. To plan for and encourage transit is good. To refuse to solve today's transportation problems is bad.
You've had 25 years and $50 million. You should be embarrassed. Every other locality on US 29 from the NC border to DC has built a bypass. Git 'er done.
Those who blindly oppose the inevitable population growth, oppose most all transportation projects. They think more safe roads will invite more people to move here.
What about the safety and well being of those who live here?
Yes we need a Rt 29 bypass with some local traffic interchanges.
These are the same people that clog up the roads on their bicycles
@Seth Denizen is an idiot, "In fact, traffic pressure in several neighborhoods will decrease once the Parkway is complete." Which neighborhoods are those?
NIX the western bypass.......... Let's start an EASTERN BYpass.. have you seen the mess from pantops to Rt 29N
Probably too little too late, but as Mamma always said, "It's better than nothing!", unless you're the type who enjoys reading bumper stickers and studying the debris on the side of the road.
One of the reasons these things become comedy in C/A is liberal cowards like Coy Barefoot. This afternoon he gave unedited, unquestioned voice on this issue to one of these socialist enviroposiers (Sierra Club anyone?) without any balance at all. This week TDP ran a "report" from, the Sierra Club like it was news. Liberals wimps like Coy and TDP and these hippy bullies cannot allow honest discussion. They lose every time. It isn't about a park, or a seldom used golf couse (that sucks btw) or a permitting process. It's about forcing an agenda on the people because they think they know what's best.
Ha.....what do you keep in those potholes?
Build more roads, and you'll just get more traffic to use those new roads. The end result won't be less congestion, it will be more vehicles/people coming into the area either to work or shop.
Developing Crozet and Ruckersville (i know, not Apbemarle, just saying) would probably do more to reduce Charlottesville traffic than building more big roads into Charlottesville.
Anyone have links showing maps of where the Western Bypass and Meadowcreek Parkway are supposed to go?
Seth Denizen looks like he really knows his stuff when it comes to transportation. He should be elected- the next Dennis Rooker. Not really good hair but awesome glasses! I think he used to hang out on the mall with some friends I knew. I am glad that my compatriots who get fired up about the bypass write and post and do all the other stuff they do to let everyone els know what is best. There are no vocal pro-bypass groups or anti-Sierra Club groups, so we can all assume that most people here in our fair city feel the same way about these new roads as Seth, Dawg, and I feel.
@Truth- I love how conservatives love to come forward and use names like truth, as if they themselves have the gospel, while complaining about the supposed liberals doing the same.
Who cares whether the golf course is up to your personal standards. The Prk belong to the City, and was given to remain a park, not become a highway so people from the county could commute in. Thats not being liberal, that's following the intent of the gift. Rio/Park was always a main pathway into the city, and while I appreciate their frustration, I also know the solution is not to build another road, but to put pressure on Albemarle about its development.
What it really comes down to, is that you need to stop using labeling to avoid facing the reality that your just mad that someone stood up to your agenda, and said you don't get to force it down their throat either.
@Caesonia: You have both missed and made my point honey. This isn't about the park, the golf course, or labels. It is about anti-capitalists who want to stop progress for the rest of us. They disguise themselves as environmentalists like the Sierra Club, which is driving a lot of this, but they don't give a crap about the environment.
Charlottesville is not an island or a commune, it is part of the larger Commonwealth and it is past time that it wake up from this 40 year imported liberal dream of Utopia. Drive 20 miles out of town in any direction and ask the first Virginian that you meet what they think about C-Ville. The world does not end at I64, Crozet Pizza, Target, and Pantops.
Can we get a map with an overlay of the proposed bypass? Just not sure what you're talking about. Maybe I missed it? Thanks.
Jebmeister: "Every other locality on US 29 from the NC border to DC has built a bypass."
We built one too. It's called the bypass (see this week's cover of the Hook), but you want us to build you another one, I guess.
Newin Town: "Build more roads, and you'll just get more traffic to use those new roads."
Thank you. I wish more people would recognize this known fact about induced demand. Many have been misled into believing the Western Bypass will reduce congestion on the 29 corridor. Typically, bypasses just give short-term relief but lead to even worse conditions in the long-term. There's fifty years of examples from around the country to prove this point, and we should know better by now. Welcome to town, by the way.
Truth, "It is about anti-capitalists who want to stop progress for the rest of us"
You'd probably make more sense if you stopped trying to shove this issue into your imaginary war between hippies and freedom-lovers (or whatever you want to call yourself). The bypass does not neatly fit into these categories, and there are a variety of reasons to believe it is a bad idea that have nothing to do with liberal politics.
Put in a tunnel from around the I-64/29 interchange and run it up north of Ruckersville. As far as the current plan, it falls short of what is now needed based on the growth since the ink dried on the original blueprints.
I think there are arguments to be made either way, but at this point it seems like this proposal could be characterized a couple of ways. One way it can be characterized is a quarter billion attempt at an economic stimulus for Southside Virginia. The other way is a quarter billion 6-mile new road that makes travel quicker for less than half of the individuals who use currently use 29.
If the former, It seems rather interesting (if not hypocritical) that conservative officials are primarily driving this construction. It seems highly likely that, if this is the case, many of these same public officials would be highly critical of government spending in Washington for the same purpose of economic revival. In addition, it would seem that the connection of economic development and the 6-mile bypass would be more tenuous. How many more people are going to be willing to locate their business in Danville or Lynchburg because a few minutes will be shaved off their drive from points south to DC or beyond? Would these businesses not just choose some location closer to I81 or I95? Further frustrating any such claim is the fact that development has spread from the proposed terminus to Ruckersville.
There are several approved and proposed commercial, business, and residential developments north of the endpoint. There is the Hollymead Town Center, North Pointe, Briarwood phase 2, Gateway Center in Greene, the development just over the Greene County line, NGIC expansion, and the UVA research park. It seems very likely that within a few years, we will be dealing with similar conditions as now, just 6 miles north. For example, one could easily imagine the bottleneck that is 29/Hydraulic/250 will just become the "Forest Lakes bottleneck" where the proposed bypass not only reconnects with 29, but does so where there is only a 4-lane highway (as opposed to 6). Without any regional planning dealing with growth, growth will simply continue to spread through Greene and possibly Madison. As a result, the area, points south, and the state generally will be dealing with the same conditions a decade or so later.
If the latter is the claim, it would seem to be a an inefficient use of resources. I can remember studies published in various news articles saying that over half of the traffic on 29 North in Albemarle (Charlottesville really has nothing to do with this at all) originates and ends between the bypass and the Rivanna. Wouldn't it make more sense to make improvements along 29 in the form of interchanges, parallel roads, or other improvements that would have the greatest impact on the greatest number of people (of course assuming that studies support the claim that they would improve traffic flow and would be similar in costs)?
Considering the growth planning (or lack thereof) and the traffic patterns on 29, is this not a classic example of an inefficient use of government resources that is driven primarily for political rather than sound fiscal and developmental planning? What am I missing here? I am sure there is a forceful argument to be made for the other side. I'm just not so sure it is stronger than the inefficiency argument.
C, What you've said is very reasonable. Based on what I'm hearing, most of the support for the bypass is based on inertia from the past and some sort of grand culture war meta-narrative that casts Charlottesville (somehow wrapped up in this) as the villain. I'm not hearing much actual reflection on the benefits of the particular transportation improvement, weighed against its costs.
It seems that some constituencies have simply wanted this really, really badly for a really, really long time, and it's more about getting what they want than it is about what they actual get for the price.
"The other way is a quarter billion 6-mile new road that makes travel quicker for LESS THAN HALF of the individuals who use currently use 29"
My emphasis added.
I believe the number (at the last traffic study) was 10%.
There are a couple of mistakes on my part (I type slower than I think and get ahead of myself) *Eliminate one "use" (should read ("currently use") *Should read "political reasons."
@New Reality - I agree. As much as the constant studies in this area irk me at times, I think this is definitely a time to slow down and evaluate the situation.
@Wait - That's the number I was thinking as well, but wasn't sure. I think it was something like 60 percent of the traffic was between Hydraulic and Rivanna and 90 percent was between the bypass (possibly as far south as Lovingston) and Ruckersville. Again, I am not completely sure on the numbers. Nonetheless, it doesn't seem to add much support for the current construction plans on the efficiency front.
That's right Walt. I bet the traffic on the bypass will be less than 1500 or 3000 per day (about 5%) I really don't think many people at all are driving through Charlottesville on their way north or south. Now people DO pass through on I-64. That is a real road. Heck, back in the mid-eighties that road was less traveled than 29 North is now.
Truth- I know that there have been studies that show that most traffic on US29 in Virginia originates and terminates in Charlottesville (and sometimes Northern VA). Have you never been to Crozet? There really isn't anything past it. Now about Danville- it sure proves our point when it was announced that the twelfth Cray supercomputer in the US would be housed right in Danville. Did they need a bypass to land that thing? Here in Charlottesville, we don't have anything like a Cray... but we have the U and a new fort.
The wealth of knowledge that these posters display makes me wonder if the just how many are actually urban planners or traffic engineers. Why can't the VDOT workers see the truth and scuttle these wasteful, nature despoiling projects.
No one knows what that outdated road would cost at this point, and in this era of limited funds for road improvements, it is beyond absurd to think this is worth pursuing.
It would have been great the year I moved here -- 1983!
It is almost laughable in its outdatedness. While we're at it, let's build a horse & buggy path.
Most politically savvy folks see this for exactly what it is: a maneuver by Connaughton to shut Lynchburg and Danville up....taking advantage of the perfect storm of idiocy sitting on Albemarle's Board right now.
The "it's better than nothing mentality" is not only short-sighted, it's just plain incorrect. When this money is gone, there will be none left for a REAL bypass that gets traffic north of the Target/Hollymead sprawl.
For @natureboyric - this from the 1997 Route 29 Bypass Design Advisory Study:
"18) Patsy Napier: VDOT Comments
Design actions toward goal include:
* Movement of through traffic enhanced by limited-access roadway
* No intermediate interchanges
* Will pull 24,400 cars/day off Route 29 North Business (for design year 2022)
* UVA is considering a multimodal facility in the North Grounds area"
That's right, Greene Man.
1997. I repeat. 1997.
Seems so recent, doesn't it? Nope. It was 15 years ago, lonnnng before Target and Kohl's were even a twinkle in Wendell Wood's eye. You know...this bypass would work out beautifully for him. Bypassing traffic from all of the other shopping districts right into his. And all funded by our taxpayer dollars. Beautiful.
Caroline - and yet knowing the route for the Bypass, the Supervisors went right ahead and approved all the development you mention plus building a new school near the route (and approving North Pointe) to try to cripple/kill the Bypass or any future extension of the route. This had nothing to do with WW - it's all NIMBY. The counties north and south of Albemarle are very strongly in favor of the Bypass.
I am also in favor of a bypass -- but let's build the right one. Can you honestly look your children and grandchildren in the eye and say that THIS PARTICULAR BYPASS is a wise investment? One that will truly relieve congestion on Route 29, as we know it now...not the way it looked 15 years ago?
I cannot. Because I know in my heart I'd be lyin'.
P.S. And please take note of which of the current Supervisors wanted to add MORE parcels on 29 North to the growth area.
Yep. No surprises here at all. In fact, as I recall, Boyd & Co. tried to ram it through on the "Other Matters" portion of the agenda yet again.
Caroline - we can have a "good" Bypass in the near future, and it is probably the only one possible in this day and age - if you want "the right one" we will need to start the entire process all over again - looking at past efforts in road construction around here, can you look your children in the eye and say -"Yes we will build a Bypass, but probably not in YOUR lifetime"?
I would rather have NO bypass than some ridiculous mini-loop leading to Target, which will soon just be the beginning of a whole new sea of northern development.
Why on earth would we want to be foolish enough to do that. Just to say "we did it?!" What exactly are we proving there, Greene? That we can save 15 minutes of travel to get to Hollymead?
Kinda silly when you think about it... ;-)
You know, sometimes it's OK to admit that something is wrong. This state government won't be in power forever, and thankfully neither will the local one.
Try to look at this from a REGIONAL point of view - non-Albemarle residents don't want to "get to Hollymead" - we want to BYPASS the commercial strip mall and traffic light nightmare that Rt 29 has become - this is about moving through-traffic from north to south and vice versa - I would love to see the Bypass route start at the Greene/Albemarle county line - but that isn't going to happen - half a loaf is better than none. If you don't want a bypass on principle, that's fine - I want one for very practical reasons, and so does most of the rest of the state. It's our money too.
And boy...won't the rest of the state be surprised when they are dumped (along with all the 18-wheelers) right below Hollymead, back into what they thought they would be avoiding.
In case you didn't read, I am in favor of a bypass. One that makes sense. This isn't that one, and most reasonable people will admit it. Half a loaf? This is not even close.
Caroline - don't be snide - I do read, (Perhaps I might has said "don't want THIS bypass"....) but most reasonable people will also acknowledge that what you want will not get built any faster that the Meadowcreek Parkway. Build this Bypass as Phase I and later a grade separated interchange at Airport Road - but START NOW!
You must have a decent plan by which to begin. That does not yet exist. The state should take time NOW to create that plan and begin building accordingly. There is NO LONG TERM PLAN on the books, Greene. That's the problem.
Can't you tell when someone is just throwing you a bone to shut you up??
I can.
Maybe we can talk about it more when we're sitting in traffic at the Target. :-)
P.S. You do know that if the bypass were built tomorrow, there would still be an "F" level of traffic on 29, don't you?
That's from extensive VDOT studies.
Facts based on existing traffic flows, factoring in bypass usage.
Facts, Greene.
You go right ahead and enjoy the fairly tale of this bypass magically making everything all better for us, but I prefer to live in reality.
You go Caroline! Not are you only wise, but you can give some attitude with it. I'm betting that you are one of those who have some traffic planning experience. You also know about the Woods conspiracy with VDOT; he knows how to bring the traffic to him. I bet he would strip mine his land if we let him. This bypass is not half a loaf- it is a mere two or three slices that is being served to old Mr. Wood on a platter. He is also in cahoots with the Wahoo-ligans and their plans for the multimodal center at the North Grounds. Actually this is all about the Republicans and their plans to destroy our country. Isn't that the party of all the pro-bypass thugs?
Thanks for the encouraging words, Boyric. Probably too much attitude but in the 30 years I've lived here I have never been so outraged. I've worked with local governments in other countries for many years now, and I know a rat when I smell one.
Regardless of whether "this" bypass is right or wrong, the process by which it has been revived is one of the worst things I have witnessed in my time on this planet. And interesting that it only took Secretary Connaughton a few days to backtrack on the "promises" he made to Mr. Dorrier...if he in fact made them at all. Who knows? When government operates in the dark, we can only guess.
I think this data is also very relevant: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/maps/virginia_map.html. The Charlottesville Metro Area is now over 200K people. Greene, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Albemarle all had growth rates above 20 percent between 2000 and 2010. (SN: There may be a calculation problem with Albemarle given the miscounts in 2000 when 4,000 county residents were wrongly included in Charlottesville. In any event, the rate was probably still in the upper teens or above 20 percent). I think this data is important for two reasons. The first is that it should make us question whether, once again, spending a quarter billion dollars on one 6 mile stretch of road is an efficient use of resources considering the growth is skewed towards the east. The second reason it is important is because it shows just how dispersed growth has become and the importance of regional development planning. With Greene growing at a rate that is above 20 percent and northern Albemarle likely doing the same, it won't be long before Rivanna to Ruckersville looks very similar to the Hydrulic to Rivanna 29 stretch.
Caroline - Hindsight, as they say is 20/20 - if you look back in time there were several routes considered (and rejected) that would have done what you describe:
How is it that you will reach any agreement on a "long-term plan" given the track record in Albemarle for consensus?
Starting over - identifying a new route - acquiring land - finding funding - doing endless studies - litigating endlessly to try to achieve some dream of what will be the best solution for traffic 25-30 years hence? And in the meantime? Frankly, I don't care if there will be an "F" Level on traffic on Rt. 29 - Supervisor Humphris pushed the widening of 29 North and dumped vast resources into accomplishing that (to the exclusion of moving ahead with the Bypass) and look what it accomplished. I'm a realist - We have to agree to disagree - I would rather have the ability to zip down the Bypass as planned and avoid Strip Mall USA than starting all over and getting nothing - given your "30 years here" and my age, we'll be playing checkers with Elvis long before anything like what you desire can come about. Have to end the thread here - work calls. Bye!
"I would rather have the ability to zip down the Bypass as planned and avoid Strip Mall USA."
Me too, Greene Man. And unfortunately this bypass will not accomplish that.
A bypass is only part of the solution to the 29 North traffic woes. The county and city need to work together to foster mass transit. If 29N is going to become one huge strip mall, then there is no reason there can't be dedicated bus lanes or a trolley carrying people up and down the road, with parking in the various mall parking lots. Look at Portland, OR, and other small cities that have looked at all modes of surface transit and planned accordingly--they have done a tremendous job of mitigating traffic and improving quality of life. It is true that any bypass will be only a short-term solution--new roads generate more traffic.
The bigger picture is that our car-dependent way of life is unsustainable in the long term. The sooner we start planning for that, the better.
"I would rather have NO bypass than some ridiculous mini-loop leading to Target, which will soon just be the beginning of a whole new sea of northern development.
Why on earth would we want to be foolish enough to do that. Just to say "we did it?!" What exactly are we proving there, Greene? That we can save 15 minutes of travel to get to Hollymead?"
You're a complete cretin as usual. Do you know how many people work north of town that have to get into the city limits for their jobs? Residents from Greene and Madison aren't coming into Charlottesville to shop, they're doing it because they have no other choice going into town in the morning to work and leaving 4-6 PM.
If you want to alleviate congestion "naturally" you can build more housing in the city to make it more affordable. Oh wait but that would make all the idiot liberals limp out because of their piece of garbage "historic" districts like the ugly housing down Rio Road and Belmont that only the walking dead and the hysterical clucking hens care about. The same cretins like yourself that whine whenever any new developments get put in are the same ones that whine about roads that are the only workarounds to the problems they caused in the first place.
At 3.50 a gallon for gas, if you think you can afford to drive from Madison daily, but not live in Charlottesville, or the inner parts of Albemarle, you aren't too smart. I have never understood this illogic, and with so many places in foreclosure in the current market, its just plain foolish.
But we know you aren't real interested in fact Cruncher, or using you grey matter, form other posts. Your need to label everything that threatens you as 'liberal' and comments on Belmont and Rio are just more evidence.
Developers are happy to build more housing in Charlottesville, for wealthy retirees, and empty nesters, because they can make lots of money off of them, not the working folk who are paid substandard wages throughout the region. But the market won't bare that now that every last piece of liquidity has been sucked out of the market into the hands of the top 1 % and the banks.
"You're a complete cretin as usual. Do you know how many people work north of town that have to get into the city limits for their jobs? Residents from Greene and Madison aren't coming into Charlottesville to shop, they're doing it because they have no other choice going into town in the morning to work and leaving 4-6 PM.
If you want to alleviate congestion "naturally" you can build more housing in the city to make it more affordable. Oh wait but that would make all the idiot liberals limp out because of their piece of garbage "historic" districts like the ugly housing down Rio Road and Belmont that only the walking dead and the hysterical clucking hens care about. The same cretins like yourself that whine whenever any new developments get put in are the same ones that whine about roads that are the only workarounds to the problems they caused in the first place."
Despite your immature name-calling, your facts are also erroneous. If you are able to read, why not check out the VDOT traffic studies on the percentage of vehicles using which parts of Route 29? And I don't "whine" about new developments, I just believe that roads should be improved to handle the traffic before more rural area is rezoned for strip malls.
I am guessing you haven't read the US 29 Corridor Study, the county's plan for parallel roads, or much of anything else that is fact-based. After you do that, I would welcome a conversation with you about how to best move commuter traffic up and down 29. But until you have fully informed yourself, I would suggest you refrain from the name-calling. Honestly, it just makes you look really stupid.
Oh, that was "The Cruncher" I was addressing that too.
Perhaps I am talking to a potato chip?
The proposed bypass rums from Lenorad Sandridge, under the current bypass and then up to the new UVA research park. It is allmost a straight shot from UVA to the research park. That is what it is for. This is a planned 560 acre industrial park with research, offices, hotels shops, etc that straddles land between 29 and the airport. The bypass makes this land much, much, more valuable to UVA. At its core, the bypass will not improve local traffic but will make this a very really great piece of land for UVA. Not that I am against value. But that is not how the bypass is being sold, and I think if the public was aware that they are taking on $300M in debt for a road that will not help them much but transforms the value of land for developers, then perhaps perceptions would change about what was in the best public interest.
Pekoe, you have got it right, and then the other part of that nasty potential is a cloverleaf where the rock store is that dumps you off onto a four lane version of earlysville and airport roads to make it easier to access the airport/research park nexus. Originally, at least, the University had plans to develop an Orlando style convention center out there...if only it was a little easier to get back and forth.. The university is one of the biggest realestate players here.
This road should not be built. I am not anti-growth, or anti-car, and we do need to improve the road network in this area. I also support the Meadowcreek Parkway.
However, the western bypass, in it's current incarnation is already obsolete. Those who point to Lynchburg, Danville and the rest, should note, that Lynchburg has twice bypassed congested areas - only to have those obsoleted as the sprawl reaches just a little further down 29S. Danville is an exception only because Danville is in an economic tailspin and not growing. The congestion of 29N now extends to nearly the Madison border.
We need to have a limited access corridor - where we do not allow every Tom, Dick and Harry to have a driveway - or more pointedly: a left-turn traffic signal - on the main road. This should run right down the middle of the existing 29N corridor, with grade separated exchanges and access roads.
I want to see a proposal for a 2 lane true bypass beginning at Ruckersville and going east to 64. Some 10-15 mile route.
The comment by Pekoe is intriguing.