ABSTRACT
The importance of adolescent fathers participating more fully in pregnancy and childrearing has been emphasized increasingly in the literature. This article describes the development and evaluation of childbearing clinical services designed for adolescent fathers. This multidisciplinary effort used an action research model that integrates empirical research into ongoing programs, continuously monitoring progress. It is comprised of five elements: population description, determination of clients' health needs, assessment and development of resources, evaluation of program services, and monitoring of outcomes. Although the study was not designed exclusively for black adolescents, 95% of the individuals who participated were black. The cultural composition of the study population suggests and impact on the findings. Suggestions are made for future program efforts with adolescent parents.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Fathers/psychology , Maternal Health Services/organization & administration , Pregnancy in Adolescence/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Male , Maternal Health Services/standards , Pregnancy , Program Evaluation , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The influence of social support on maternal attitudes and behaviors was assessed in 57 third-trimester adolescent women attending an urban prenatal clinic. Sociodemographic characteristics, social support, self-esteem, and feelings about pregnancy were measured by questionnaire. The support and influence of the adolescent father was emphasized. Social support was measured as a multidimensional construct derived by a priori and empirical procedures. The outcomes measured were the amount of prenatal care, attendance at scheduled postpartum appointments, and pleasure with the pregnancy. Stepwise multiple-regression analyses were used to assess the contributions of the predictor to criterion variables. Pleasure with pregnancy was positively associated with the receipt of assistance from the adolescent's mother, favorable opinions of friends, and satisfaction with living arrangements. Attendance at postpartum visits was associated with high self-esteem. Notably absent as significant contributors were sociodemographic characteristics, receipt of emotional and tangible support from the adolescent father, and expectation of aid from social-assistance programs.
PIP: The influence of social support on maternal attitudes and behaviors was assessed in 57 3rd-trimester adolescent women attending an urban prenatal clinic. Sociodemographic characteristics, social support, self-esteem, and feelings about pregnancy were measured by questionnaire. The support and influence of the adolescent father was emphasized. Social support was measured as a multidimensional construct derived by a priori and empirical procedures. The outcomes measured were the amount of prenatal care, attendance at scheduled postpartum appointments, and pleasure with the pregnancy. Stepwise multiple-regression analyses were used to assess the contributions of the predictor to criterion variables. Pleasure with pregnancy was positively associated with the receipt of assistance from the adolescent's mother, favorable opinions of friends, and satisfaction with living arrangements. Attendance at postpartum visits was associated with high self-esteem. Notably absent as significant contributors were sociodemographic characteristics, receipt of emotional and tangible support from the adolescent father, and expectation of aid from social-assistance programs.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy in Adolescence , Social Environment , Social Support , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude , Female , Housing , Humans , Maternal Health Services , Pregnancy , Self ConceptABSTRACT
The prenatal health information needs of 142 predominantly black, urban, and low-income adolescents (mean age = 16.9 years) were assessed by questionnaire early in the third trimester of pregnancy. Factor analysis identified three clusters of health topics labeled new morbidity, depressed somatization, and pregnancy. Relationships of these factors to self-esteem and health seeking were assessed in a subset (n = 57). A high score on depressed somatization was associated with low self-esteem and missed postpartum visits. Implications for planning prenatal education and effecting appropriate health-seeking behaviors are discussed.
Subject(s)
Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Patient Education as Topic , Pregnancy in Adolescence , Adolescent , Adult , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Prenatal Care/psychology , Self ConceptSubject(s)
Ethers, Cyclic/therapeutic use , Hyperlipidemias/drug therapy , Hyperlipidemias/genetics , Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use , Ion Exchange Resins/therapeutic use , Polyamines/therapeutic use , Cholesterol/blood , Humans , Hyperlipidemias/blood , Phospholipids/blood , Placebos , Polymers/therapeutic use , Triglycerides/bloodSubject(s)
Blood Protein Disorders/complications , Hyperlipidemias/complications , Lipoproteins/blood , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Radionuclide Imaging , Adult , Aged , Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism , Blood Protein Disorders/drug therapy , Blood Protein Electrophoresis , Cholesterol/blood , Clinical Trials as Topic , Clofibrate/therapeutic use , Colloids , Ethers, Cyclic/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Hyperlipidemias/drug therapy , Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use , Liver/enzymology , Liver Diseases/etiology , Male , Metformin/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Oxandrolone/therapeutic use , Phenotype , Placebos , Polyamines/therapeutic use , Polymers/therapeutic use , Sulfur , Technetium , Triglycerides/bloodSubject(s)
Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use , Ethers, Cyclic/therapeutic use , Hyperlipidemias/drug therapy , Ion Exchange Resins/therapeutic use , Lipoproteins/blood , Polyamines/therapeutic use , Cholesterol/blood , Depression, Chemical , Humans , Hyperlipidemias/genetics , Phospholipids/blood , Triglycerides/bloodSubject(s)
Bone Diseases/etiology , Femur , Fractures, Spontaneous/etiology , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/complications , Lipoproteins/blood , Xanthomatosis , Adult , Bone Marrow Cells , Cholesterol/metabolism , Female , Femoral Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Histiocytes , Humans , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnostic imaging , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/pathology , Lipoproteins/metabolism , Radiography , Triglycerides/metabolism , Xanthomatosis/diagnostic imagingSubject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/physiopathology , Adrenocortical Hyperfunction/etiology , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/metabolism , Hormones, Ectopic/metabolism , Sigmoid Neoplasms/physiopathology , 17-Ketosteroids/urine , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood , Colon, Sigmoid/pathology , Dexamethasone/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radioimmunoassay , Sigmoid Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
The iodine content of bread consumed in the Bronx, New York, was found to be significantly lower than that of bread consumed in Columbia, Missouri. This difference in dietary intake of iodine could account for the lowered range of normal values for 24-hour (131)I uptake tests in Columbia, and the persistence of the same normal range for this test over the past 28 years in the Bronx. A population with high iodine intake requires higher doses of radioactive iodine in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Questions are raised regarding the relationship of high iodine intake to the risk of developing thyrotoxicosis.