Margaret M Kaiser1, Bevely J Hays. 1. College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, USA. mkaiser@unmc.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of prenatal health-risk behaviors (substance use, sexual risk taking, and prenatal class attendance) among a nonrandom sample of first-time pregnant adolescents. DESIGN: The design is descriptive. SAMPLE: 145 ethnically diverse first-time pregnant adolescents aged 15-18 years. MEASUREMENT: Health behavior questions modified from the Center for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. RESULTS: The health-risk behavior most modified during pregnancy was alcohol use (64/145 drank but quit and 1/145 did not quit). Of the 52/145 who used street drugs, nine continued despite pregnancy. Of the 75/145 who smoked early in pregnancy, 39 continued. The majority did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse. Approximately half attended a prenatal class and half attended a teen parenting class. CONCLUSION: Health-risk behaviors captured by birth certificate data are thought to be underreported for all age groups, and the prevalence of health-risk behaviors in this sample of pregnant teens was often greater than the most recent national trend data available. The magnitude of the effects of health-risk behaviors on pregnancy outcomes necessitates improved data gathering to enhance planning and evaluation of research and interventions at community, system, and individual/family levels.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of prenatal health-risk behaviors (substance use, sexual risk taking, and prenatal class attendance) among a nonrandom sample of first-time pregnant adolescents. DESIGN: The design is descriptive. SAMPLE: 145 ethnically diverse first-time pregnant adolescents aged 15-18 years. MEASUREMENT: Health behavior questions modified from the Center for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. RESULTS: The health-risk behavior most modified during pregnancy was alcohol use (64/145 drank but quit and 1/145 did not quit). Of the 52/145 who used street drugs, nine continued despite pregnancy. Of the 75/145 who smoked early in pregnancy, 39 continued. The majority did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse. Approximately half attended a prenatal class and half attended a teen parenting class. CONCLUSION: Health-risk behaviors captured by birth certificate data are thought to be underreported for all age groups, and the prevalence of health-risk behaviors in this sample of pregnant teens was often greater than the most recent national trend data available. The magnitude of the effects of health-risk behaviors on pregnancy outcomes necessitates improved data gathering to enhance planning and evaluation of research and interventions at community, system, and individual/family levels.
Authors: Grace Chang; E John Orav; Jennifer A Jones; Tatyana Buynitsky; Stephanie Gonzalez; Louise Wilkins-Haug Journal: J Addict Med Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 3.702