Evaluation of a program to reduce prenatal risk among pregnant teenagers

Abstract

The United States has the highest incidence of teenage pregnancy among the developed countries of the world. Complications associated with pregnancy among teenagers are theorized to be associated with their higher rates of morbidity and mortality as compared with their older counterparts. A secondary analysis of data on seven problems related to pregnancy (ie; complications of labor, Cesarean section, premature birth, congenital abnormalities, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions, low birth weight, and neonate deaths) was conducted to explore the effectiveness of the Pima County Comprehensive Prenatal Care Initiative program designed to combat these issues. Significantly lower proportions in complications of labor, Cesarean sections, and premature births were found among those mothers enrolled in the program than in the comparison group. The frequency of NICU admissions and low birth weight infants showed no significant change, and the occurrences of congenital abnormalities and neonate deaths among the infants were more frequent. The possible explanations for these results are explored, and implications for the nursing profession are delineated.