Changes in
Percentage
of teen parent population SA2 Victoria 2006, 2011, 2016
SA2 Victoria (Inner and West Melbourne) Applications of GIS Assignment 2 Manasi Chopdekar (935401) Completion date: 25/03/2019 Total pages/word count: 16/1631
Index 1. 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 2. 2.1.
2.2. 3.
Introduction Motivation Purpose of report Approach
…3
Methodology Flow of procedure: the geographic approach Steps and tools used
…4
Result (maps, graphs and tables)
…6
…5
Maps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Teen parent population 2006 across Greater Melbourne Teen parent population 2011 across Greater Melbourne Teen parent population 2016 across Greater Melbourne SA2 Victoria chosen areas of study Teen parent population 2006 in chosen SA2 regions Teen parent population 2011 in chosen SA2 regions Teen parent population 2016 in chosen SA2 regions Existing hospitals and childcare services with train service lines across Greater Melbourne
CONTENT
4. 4.1. 4.2.
Discussion: Summary of findings Limitations of study
…12
5.
Conclusion
…14
6.
References
…15
7.
Appendix
…16
…13
Tables and figures …6
1.
…7
2.
…8
3.
…9
4.
…10
5.
Representational map showing site context Teen pregnancy rate within Australia Health issues concerning teen pregnancy Main attribute fields for required geographic data Sample of the hospital location table used
…3 …3 …3 …5 …13
…10 …10 …11
2.
Site context and focus issue Teenage pregnancy is a critical issue, affecting more than 16 million (UN DESA, 2019) of the 3 billion figure female population of the world (Countrymeters, 2019). Within Australia itself, while the rate of teenage births is at a steady decline (see Fig 2), there are certain areas within the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria (see Fig.1) where the rate of teen pregnancy has increased from 2006 to 2016. This can have severe repercussions on the mental and physical heath of the affected teenage population.
Fig. 1 Location of Greater Melbourne (ArcGIS, 2019)
Fig. 2 Teen pregnancy rate within Australia (Australian Institute of health and Welfare, 2015)
Teen pregnancy Possibilities of diseases
Childbirth and needing assistance with core activities Post birth childcare + parent counselling
This report intends to understand the change in teenage parent population across Greater Melbourne and make certain infrastructure suggestions aimed to alleviate its resultant consequences in areas predominantly susceptible to a growing rate of teenage pregnancy. Particular focus will be given to the health issues that arise due to this (see Fig. 3) and how it can be lessened in those regions. To obtain the required observations for the analysis, data pertaining total teenage parent (aged 15-19) population was compared to the total number of parent population in every respective region of Greater Melbourne and a percentage rate of the former population was calculated for the years 2006, 2011 and 2016. This data was then compared over the three years and the changes in the population rate were recorded. Based on this data, three SA2 Victoria regions within Greater Melbourne were chosen that show an overall increase in teenage parent population. The final step in this analysis was to overlay this change with the amount and accessibility of healthcare services to observe the level of care for teenage parent population.
Fig. 3 Health issues concerned with teenage pregnancy (Australian Institute of health and Welfare, 2015)
INTRODUCTION
3.
Flow of procedure: The geographic approach 1.
1.
Asking the Geographic question
2.
1.
2.
Acquiring the required geographic data
2.
3. 4.
1.
3.
Examining the obtained and mapped geographic data
2. 3.
1.
4.
5.
Analyzing the geographic information
Suggesting infrastructure based on analysis
2. 3.
1. 2.
What areas have high teenage parent population? Are there enough services to cater specifically to this population?
Total parent population in all regions of Greater Melbourne Teenage (15-19 years old) parent population in all regions of Greater Melbourne Number of hospitals in all regions of Greater Melbourne Availability of childcare/health services in all regions of Greater Melbourne Comparing the changes in the rate of teen parent population across Greater Melbourne for 2006, 2011,2016. Observing areas of no change/increased rate Comparing number of hospitals, childcare services across Greater Melbourne Observing where in Greater Melbourne is the rate of teen parent population increasing Choosing 3 SA2 areas according to above observation Analyzing the existing healthcare conditions in those regions to cater to the change in population More physical and mental health services for affected teen population More childcare services to help teenage parents
METHODOLOGY
4.
Steps and tools used The given data included total parent population data as well as parent population numbers segregated by age group, grouped according to the census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. In order to obtain the percentage of teenage parent population in every region across Victoria, firstly, the attribute table for the parent population data was edited to show only the useful fields (see Fig. 4 table): 1. Population of parents aged 15-19 for 2006 2. Population of parents aged 15-19 for 2011 3. Population of parents aged 15-19 for 2016 4. Total parent population (irrespective of age) in 2006 5. Total parent population (irrespective of age) in 2011 6. Total parent population (irrespective of age) in 2016 The following table shows this data in their respective fields. 1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
Fig. 4: Main attribute fields for required geographic data (combined with SA2_Victoria) (ArcGIS, 2019)
Once the edited table was joined with the SA2_Victoria table (with reference to the primary field: SA2_MAINCODE_2016,), percentage of total teenage parent population was calculated for 2006, 2011 and 2017 respectively, according to the following equations: Teenpreg_2006_perc = (“C06_AP_15_19_Tot”/ “C06_AP_T_T”) * 100 (for 2006 teen parent percentage) Teenpreg_2011_perc = (“C11_AP_15_19_Tot”/ “C11_AP_T_T”) * 100 (for 2011 teen parent percentage) Teenpreg_2016_perc = (“C16_AP_15_19_Tot”/ “C16_AP_T_T”) * 100 (for 2016 teen parent percentage) Once the percentages were calculated, it was then easy to show the change in population by choropleths, using symbology and showing the “teenpreg_20xx_perc” as the rate change value. Different layers were created according to the census year and then overlaid to observe the changes in the teenage population percentage across Victoria. For a better study, more focus was placed on the regions of Greater Melbourne and based on above observations, three SA2 Victoria regions were chosen due to their overall increase in teen parent population (which can be observed in the maps shown further in the report).
METHODOLOGY
5.
Teenage parent population trend across Greater Melbourne
Melton
Melbourne Airport
Hume
Brimbank Yarra Melbourne
Map 1: Victoria - teen parent population 2006
Observation: As it can be seen in this map, teen parent population figure is highest in the city center of Melbourne (Parkville), which could be due to the high student population who reside in the area (18-19 year old students who attend university). The suburban areas beyond that have a comparatively low rate of teenage parent population, except Melbourne Airport.
RESULT
6.
Teenage parent population trend across Greater Melbourne
Melton
Melbourne Airport
Hume
Brimbank
Melbourne
Yarra
Map 2: Victoria - teen parent population 2011
Observation: Significant amount of changes can be observed between this map and the one showing teen parent population in 2006. Most of the outer suburbs have shown a significant reduction in the percentage of teen pregnancy but central areas of Melbourne still show a relatively higher rate of teen parent population.
RESULT
7.
Teenage parent population trend across Greater Melbourne
Melton
Melbourne Airport
Hume
Brimbank
Melbourne
Yarra
Map 3: Victoria - teen parent population 2016
RESULT
Observation: What is clearly evident in this map is that while the outer suburban regions (especially Melbourne Airport) are showing a significant decrease in teenage parent population, the opposite is happening in the central Melbourne region. Carlton has shown visible increase in teen pregnancy rates while certain areas of Melton have also shown a little increase from 2006 to 2011 to 2016 (although it is not visibly evident on the map). These areas will be further investigated in this report. 8.
SA2 Victoria: focus areas for further study Melbourne Airport
Melton
Hume
Taylors Hill Caroline Springs
Brimbank
Yarra Melbourne
Carlton
Map 4: SA2 Victoria – chosen study areas
Observation: On the basis of observations from previous maps, three SA2 Victoria regions were chosen for further study: Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs from the West Melbourne suburbs and Carlton from the Inner Melbourne suburbs. They were chosen because as opposed to most of Greater Melbourne showing a decreasing trend in teen pregnancy rates, these regions show an overall increase in teen parent population.
RESULT
9.
Teen parent population rate change in chosen SA2 Victoria regions Melton 7.51% 7.17%
15%
Melbourne
Observation: It can be seen by comparing map 5, 6 and 7 that Caroline Springs and Taylors Hill of the Melton suburb show a consistent increase in the rate of teenage parent population from 20062016. While Carlton’s teen parent population rate decreased from 20062011, it has become worse since then and now has 16% of its parent population in the young (15-19 year old) age group.
Map 5: SA2 Victoria – teen parent population rate 2006 Melton 8.04% 7.72%
11%
Melbourne
Map 6: SA2 Victoria – teen parent population rate 2011 Melton 9.08% 9.77%
16%
Melbourne
Map 7: SA2 Victoria – teen parent population rate 2016
RESULT
10.
Existing health and childcare services along with transportation route across Victoria Melbourne Airport
Melton
Hume
Taylors Hill Caroline Springs
Brimbank St Albans
Carlton Melbourne
Map 8: current health and childcare services distribution
Observation: While hospitals are scattered across Greater Melbourne, the nearest hospital for the population of Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs is the Sunshine Hospital in St Albans which is 40-50 mins away by public transport (Google maps, 2019). There is evidently no childcare services in that region of Melton as well. Carlton, on the other hand has no shortage of hospitals and childcare services.
RESULT
11.
Summary of findings and infrastructure suggestions Taylors Hill is a suburb in West Melbourne, about 25 km away from Melbourne CBD (Google maps, 2019). Approximately 7.2% of its population falls in the 15-19 years age group (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2016). Of this 7.2% population, according to the 2016 census data, there has been more than 1% increase in teen pregnancy every 5 years (compare maps 5, 6 and 7 on page 10) which becomes a potential cause for concern if the trend remains the same. Caroline Springs is a neighboring suburb to Taylors Hill and shares a similar teen parent population trend (reference 8: quickstats census data Caroline Springs). The major cause for concern here is that the population trend shows a consistent increase from 20062016 and as of 2016, there are no health or childcare services particularly oriented to catering to teenage parental needs in Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs. Common health problems among teenage parents include anemia, urinary tract infection and pregnancy-induced hypertension, all of which need medical attention, more urgently due to the young age of the parent (L Marino, 2016). This may also have a long term ill effect on their mental health that could deteriorate further owing to their socioeconomic status (L Marino, 2016). Particular infrastructure suggestions for above regions could include (but are not limited to):
Building hospitals closer to Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs with proper gynecology departments attending to teenage pre-natal and postpartum health.
Better public transportation to medical centers outside of Melton suburb for convenient travelling during pre-natal checkups.
Sensitive and supportive counselling services focusing particularly on teenage parents, offering one-on-one sessions if possible.
Childcare service centers like daycares to cater to child needs so as to make it easier for teenage parents to balance education and/or work, and their children.
Carlton is located in very close proximity to the central business district of Melbourne and has a high rate of its parent population in the young age group. Although it has a relatively higher number of hospitals and childcare centers in close proximity, as compared to Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs, having counselling services offering face-to-face meetings and support would be extremely helpful especially for parent population of 17-19 years of age who attend university and need to balance study stress along with childcare.
DISCUSSION
12.
Limitations of study One of the main limitations when gathering data for geographic analysis on ArcGIS was finding data particularly on hospitals and childcare services catering specifically to teen parents, segregated by year. The data finally used was that of the most recent year (see Fig. 5). It would have been better to show the changes in health and childcare service provisions over the period of 2006-2016 for a better comparison. This data is also static, so any changes made, for example in the location of these hospitals and/or migration status of residents, may not have been taken into account, creating inaccuracy in the data. Another limitation in the data was the lack of information on the particular characteristics of the teen parent group (see Fig. 4 on page 5), such as if they have some sort of socio-economic disadvantage, which if obtained, could have been used to make better and more specific infrastructure suggestions with particular focus on alleviating those disadvantages. These could be obtained via surveys and other such government information but that would need more detailed study.
Fig. 5. Sample of the hospital location table used - note: lack of information on built year (ArcGIS, 2019)
DISCUSSION
13.
Teenage pregnancy is a critical situation that affects a large portion of the world population. Change in population needs to be accounted for so that an increasing trend will have no issues being accommodated and cared for in these regions. The most efficient way to observe and suggest solutions for this changing trend is by analyzing choropleth data using GIS which can visually indicate just how serious the situation is becoming, which has been done on a local scale in Greater Melbourne in this report. On the local scale, the most efficient way to assist growing teen parent population would be to ensure that they receive appropriate mental and physical healthcare. Services providing these need to be made available in the areas with an increasing trend and/or proper transportation needs to be made available to travel to distant medical care centers.
CONCLUSION
14.
References Australian Bureau of statistics, 2016, Taylors Hill: 2016 Census QuickStats, viewed 29th March 2019, <https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC2 2461?opendocument> Countrymeters, 2019, Current female population, viewed 1st June 2019, <https://countrymeters.info/en/World> Google Maps,. 2019. Taylors Hill Victoria 3037 to Melbourne CBD VIC 3000, distance, viewed 28th March 2019. Google Maps,. 2019. Taylors Hill Victoria 3037, Caroline Springs Victoria 3023 to Sunshine Hospital, St Albans VIC 3021, directions, viewed 27th March 2019. L Marino, J 2016, ‘Teenage mothers’, AFP, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 715-716, viewed 31st March 2019, <https://www.racgp.org.au/download/Documents/AFP/2016/October/AFP-OCT-Focus-SkinnerV2.pdf> United Nations: DESA, 2019, World Population Day focuses on teen pregnancy, viewed 30th March 2019, <https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/population/world-populationday.html>
Figures and maps [all maps are made by Manasi Chopdekar on ArcGIS Version 10.6 and thus have not been separately referenced here] Fig. 1. Manasi Chopdekar. “Location of Greater Melbourne” [map]. Scale on the map. Using: ArcGIS [GIS Software]. Version 10.6. Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 2019. Fig. 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018, Teenage mothers in Australia 2015. pp. 3. Canberra: AIHW. ISBN 978-1-76054-331-0 (PDF)
Fig. 3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018, Teenage mothers in Australia 2015. pp. 4. Canberra: AIHW. ISBN 978-1-76054-331-0 (PDF) Fig. 4. Manasi Chopdekar. “Main attribute fields for required geographic data” [attribute table]. Using: ArcGIS [GIS Software]. Version 10.6. Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 2019. Fig. 5. Manasi Chopdekar. “Sample of the hospital location table used - note: lack of information on built year” [attribute table]. Using: ArcGIS [GIS Software]. Version 10.6. Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 2019.
REFERENCES
15.
1. Percentage figures of teenage parent population (to get an idea of the percentage figures in chosen SA2 areas with respect to surrounding context) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sorted according to highest rate of teen parent population in 2016
APPENDIX
16.