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Examining Adolescent Pregnancy
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Short Description: Over the past twenty years, teen pregnancy has received increased attention, ... tance and methods of evaluating teen pregnancy prevention programs. ...
Content Inside: Human Development Family Life College of BULLETIN A R e v i e w O f R e s e a r c h & P r a c t i c e Human Ecology Department of Human Development and Family Science · Winter 1998 Examining Adolescent Pregnancy Laurie L. Meschke, Ph.D., and Suzanne Bartholomae, M.S., The Ohio State University Despite the decline in births to teen moth- ity and morbidity than their older counter- ers in the United States (Child Trends, Consequences parts. Mothers under age 15 may experi- 1997), adolescent pregnancy has been and For the young mother, teen pregnancy and ence a maternal death rate that is 2.5 times continues to be a concern for parents, childbearing has been associated with sev- the rate for mothers aged 20 to 24. Teen policymakers, and social service providers. eral health risks and outcomes. Adolescent mothers also have higher rates of prema- This concern appears well justified. In re- mothers, especially those under age 15, ture and/or low birth weight babies, with viewing the consequences associated with have higher rates of birth complications, mothers under 15 being twice as likely to adolescent childbearing, not only is the including toxemia, anemia, hypertension, have premature or low birthweight infants young mother negatively affected, but the eclampsia, prolonged or premature labor, (Hayes, 1987). Finally, teen mothers are in children of teen mothers and society at uterine dysfunction, pregnancy-related in- jeopardy psychologically because they ex- large also experience ramifications of the fections, postpartum hemorrhaging and perience higher levels of stress, despair, de- event. Here we examine the consequences abnormal bleeding, and premature rupture pression, feelings of helplessness, low self- associated with teen pregnancy and the of the uterine membrane (Hayes, 1987; esteem, a sense of personal failure, and factors related to an increased likelihood of Jorgensen, 1993). In addition, teen moth- suicide and suicide attempts than their adolescent pregnancy. ers have higher rates of maternal mortal- older counterparts (Jorgensen, 1993). (cont'd on page 2) Editor's Note Over the past twenty years, teen pregnancy has received increased attention, demonstrated I n s i d e t h i s I s s u e by policy reform, program development, and services for young teen mothers and their chil- dren. In this issue, Suzanne Bartholomae and I review the consequences associated with teen Project Taking Charge ... 4 pregnancy and the risk factors that could serve as intervention targets. We argue that as prac- titioners we have the opportunity via intervention to test the adolescent pregnancy models put forth by basic researchers. One such program, "Project Taking Charge," is shared by Jerelyn Curricula for Pregnancy Schulz. Aspects of the successful development and implementation of this national program Prevention Programs ... 5 are discussed. In addition, Judy Kimberly, Jerry Bean, and Bob Hughes examine the impor- tance and methods of evaluating teen pregnancy prevention programs. Issues discussed in- clude the theory application, target group selection, and community involvement. Evaluating Teen Pregnancy This Bulletin is available electronically. To receive the Bulletin via e-mail, send an e-mail Prevention Programs: An message to Listserv@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu with the words "subscribe HDFL-Bulletin" in Overview ... 68 the body of the message. You will receive quarterly newsletters automatically in your mail- box. You can also view the current issue or any back issues at the Human Development and Family Life Education web site, located at: http://www.hec.ohio-state.edu/famlife/index.htm For additional information about the Bulletin, please contact Jacqueline Kirby at (614) 688-3486. Laurie L. Meschke, Issue Editor
