Perceived educational priorities of rural pregnant adolescents and teen mothers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived educational priorities of pregnant adolescents and teen mothers in a rural area in Southwest Arizona. The data for this descriptive comparative study was gathered with structured interviews and survey questionnaires. The data were utilized to compare perceived educational priorities of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers. A sample of5 pregnant adolescent's (14- 17 years) and 5 adolescent mothers ( 15-17 years) were recruited from a teenage pregnancy and parenting program in a small rural community, at least 10-20 miles from a healthcare facility, with no public transportation availability. The results identified many similarities of perceived educational priorities between rural pregnant adolescents and teen mothers, however there was a significant difference in relation to maternal role function. The pregnant adolescents requested more information on infant care and when to call the baby's doctor than teen mothers. Pregnant adolescents also requested more information or felt it was more important then the teen mothers across all categories except physical changes of the body after birth. Both groups felt self-concept and family support were of highest importance. Participants from a teenage pregnant and parenting program in this study provided educational priorities of a rural area. These results provide a step toward obtaining information that would benefit an educational program for rural teens in the Southwest.