Repeat Pregnancy among Urban Adolescents: Sociodemographic, Family, and Health Factors

Coard, Stephanie Irby, Nitz, Katherine, Felice, Marianne E., Adolescence

ABSTRACT

First-time adolescent mothers are at high risk for a repeat pregnancy. The present investigation, part of an ongoing longitudinal study, examined sociodemographic, family, and health factors associated with repeat pregnancy in a clinic sample of urban, first-time adolescent mothers (ages 13 to 17 years). They were predominantly African-American and from low-income households. Repeat pregnancy within one year and between one and two years postpartum was determined from medical records. Summary statistics, point biserial correlations, and chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that postpartum contraceptive method was associated with repeat pregnancy at Year 1; contraceptive use, maternal age, history of miscarriages, and postpartum contraceptive method were associated with repeat pregnancy at Year 2. It was concluded that efforts to prevent repeat pregnancies among first-time adolescent mothers should include the continuous monitoring of contraceptive use, as well as the promotio n of long-acting contraceptives (e.g., medroxyprogesterone or progesterone implants). Further, counseling should be offered to adolescent mothers with a history of miscarriages.

Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing continue to be common. The issues surrounding adolescent pregnancy and childbearing are politically controversial and emotionally charged. However, there is agreement regarding the serious repercussions for society.

The incidence of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing has been well-documented. Recently, there has been a downward trend in the adolescent birthrate. In 1995, the birthrate for females aged 15-19 in the United States was 56.9 per 1,000 (Moore, Romano, & Oakes, 1996); in 1996, it was 54.7 (Guyer, Martine, MacDorman, Anderson, & Strobino, 1997). Furthermore, between 1991 and 1995, the birthrate for African-American adolescents dropped 17%. Notable, however, is that approximately 30% to 35% of adolescent mothers have a repeat pregnancy within one year of the birth of the first child, and 40% to 50% have a repeat pregnancy within two years (National Research Council, 1987; Stevens-Simon & White, 1991). In 1996, 22% of all births to 15- to 19-year-olds were repeat births (National Center for Health Statistics, 1997).

The consequences of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing have also been well-documented (Furstenberg, 1976; Hofferth & Hayes, 1987; Maynard, 1996). For example, adolescent mothers are less likely to receive child support from biological fathers, less likely to complete their education or to work, and less likely to he able to provide for themselves and their children without outside assistance (Card & Wise, 1978; Furstenberg, 1976; Furstenberg, Brooks-Gunn, & Morgan, 1987; Maynard, 1996; Mott & Marsiglio, 1985).

While numerous interventions have been developed (e.g., abstinence education, clinic-based assistance, peer counseling programs), most are aimed at preventing pregnancy among adolescents who are not yet parents. Less attention has been focused on pregnancies among …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Repeat Pregnancy among Urban Adolescents: Sociodemographic, Family, and Health Factors. Contributors: Coard, Stephanie Irby - Author, Nitz, Katherine - Author, Felice, Marianne E. - Author. Journal title: Adolescence. Volume: 35. Issue: 137 Publication date: Spring 2000. Page number: 193. © 1999 Libra Publishers, Inc. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.