Guide to Effective Programs
for Children and Youth

Early Intervention Program for Adolescent Mothers

OVERVIEW

The Early Intervention Program (EIP) for Adolescent Mothers is designed to improve the health of pregnant adolescents through promoting positive maternal behaviors. EIP is an intense public health nursing program that includes classes on preparing for motherhood, and home visits by specially trained nurses. Classes and home visits cover issues such as health, sexuality, family planning, life skills, maternal role, and social support. A study of EIP found that the program reduced premature births and resulted in fewer days of infant hospitalization in the first 6 weeks following birth.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Target population: Pregnant adolescent mothers. The program starts in mid-pregnancy and ends when the infant is 1 year old.

The Early Intervention Program (EIP) for Adolescent Mothers was designed to improve the health of pregnant mothers through the use of classes and home visits by specially trained nurses. The program has 4 “Preparation for Motherhood” classes that run for a total of 6 hours of instruction. The classes consist of 10 to 15 mothers and are led by a specially trained nurse and focus on topics such as transition to motherhood, parent-child communication, and staying healthy. Group discussion, role-plays, communication games, videos, and written materials are used to teach mothers. The EIP also includes approximately 17 home visits by public health nurses. Each home visit lasts approximately 2 hours and cover topics in five major areas: health, sexuality and family planning, life skills, maternal role, and social support systems. In the home visits, nurses discuss a variety of topics including: using health care services, complications in pregnancy, and preparing for childbirth. Nurses also provide counseling on topics such as substance use, mental health, and education. EIP nurses also maintain regular phone contact with mothers in between home visits.

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

Evaluated population: 121 young mothers and their children were randomly assigned to either the Early Intervention Program for Adolescent Mothers (n=63) or traditional public health nursing care (TPHN) (n=58).

Approach: Participants were from a large California county with urban and rural communities. Participants ranged in age from 14 to 19 with an average age of 16.71. Most of the mothers came from poor, minority backgrounds and were unmarried. At intake, mothers had an average gestational age of 21 weeks. The participants in the evaluated population were considered at-risk and at baseline, the evaluated population was identified as having experienced childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, depression, and suicide attempts.

The researchers collected data using newborn and mother medical records, nurse interviews, and maternal responses to questionnaires. Specifically, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used. The researchers collected data at intake and again at postpartum 4 to 6 weeks after birth.

Results: When examining hospitalization days in the first six weeks of life, a statistically significant difference was found between the EIP and TPHN groups (23 days for the EIP group and 36 days for the TPHN group). EIP was additionally beneficial in improving infant health as reflected in total numbers of days of hospitalization. The researchers conclude that both EIP and TPHN improved outcomes for mothers and their infants.

Limitations of this study were that the data were based on maternal recall and may be biased as a result. Further, there were no quantitative measures used to determine substance abuse. Finally, results can only be generalized to the specific population for which the study was conducted.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References

Koniak-Griffin, D., Mathenge, C., Anderson, N.L.R., & Verzemnicks, I. (1999). An early intervention program for adolescent mothers: A nursing demonstration project. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 28, 51-59

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

Evaluated participant ages: prenatal, 14-19, average age was 16.71 / Program age ranges in the Guide: 12-14, 5-21, prenatal

Program components: clinic-based, provider-based, or miscellaneous; home visiting; parent or family component

Measured outcomes: life skills; physical health; teen pregnancy and reproductive health

Program information last updated 07/30/04.