Factors associated with rapid subsequent pregnancies among school-age mothers

The reproductive performance of school-age girls in 2 family planning programs is analyzed. The performance is related, after analysis, to 1) the characteristics of the programs, 2) certain preexisting characteristics of the participants, 3) the degree of their participation in 1 of the programs, and 4) other findings at 15 months postpartum. Of the 2 programs studied, the New Haven Young Mothers Program(YMP) provided medical services while the Hartford Interagency Service (IAS) did not. Family planning received vigorous attention in both the medical and social services aspects of the YMP program. The hospital clinics and private physicians seen by the IAS participants varied. Contraceptives were prescribed for 69 percent and 73 percent of those returning postpartum at the 2 non-Catholic hospitals and for only 3 percent in the Catholic Hospital, which served about half the program participants. 180 YMC girls and 160 IAC girls were included in the study initially. The samples were modified for comparison. After modification, at 15 months postpartum 18% of the girls in each group was pregnant for a second time. For the YMP group, 15 months portpartum, the only preesixting characteristic which correlated significantly with subsequent pregnancy was registration in and attendance at school: 30% of bad attenders became pregnant wheras none with good attendence did. Moving since delivery also was associated with a higher risk of rapid subsequent pregnancy. It was concluded that rapid subsequent pregnancies among schoolage mothers are associated with school status and with program participation. Effective use of oral contraceptives requires motivation. It is suggested that in some cases and IUCD should be inserted if it is acceptable to the girl. It is concluded that family planning services cannot be provided in a vacuum, especially for teen age girls, and that prescribing physicians must consider the motivation and life goals of each patient.