Cohen, D. and Lisles, C. and Williams, W.R. and Brunsdon, Chris and Batstone, T.
(2011)
Exploratory study to evaluate the provision of additional
midwifery support to teenage mothers.
Public Health, 125 (9).
pp. 632-638.
ISSN 1476-5616
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the provision of psychosocial interventions of potential benefit to
pregnant teenage women.
Study design:
Pre-test/post-test, controlled, experimental design.
Methods:
One hundred and sixty-four pregnant teenage women received usual midwifery
care or usual midwifery care plus additional psychosocial support. Four outcomes were
measured at baseline and 4 weeks after delivery: self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem
Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), social support
(Short Form Social Support Questionnaire) and smoking behaviour (yes/no).
Results:
At follow-up, there were no significant differences in any of these outcomes
between the 65 women in the intervention group and the 64 women in the control group
who completed both assessments (mean age 17.5 years). There was no difference in use of
National Health Service (NHS) services, but the intervention group made greater use of
non-NHS services, such as family planning or help with housing or benefits problems.
Conclusion:
The very low self-esteem of the women in the study may indicate that the
intervention was not sufficiently robust to impact on mental health and lifestyle, although
a longer follow-up may be needed to confirm this. Discrepancy in the evidence provided by
formal and informal data suggests that project benefits may have been more evident if the
evaluation had included a qualitative element to address the complexity of the client group
and intervention.
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