Miller K A, Field C S
Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center-Tulsa Medical College 74128.
Semin Adolesc Med. 1985 Sep;1(3):195-212.
Adolescent pregnancy is a major health and socioeconomic problem with unique medical and psychosocial consequences for the patient and society. Consequently, it demands our attention and understanding of the problem and its causative factors. Survey data have documented that a majority of adolescents are sexually active, and that currently, almost 1 in 10 adolescents become pregnant each year. Over the last 2 decades, comprehensive adolescent pregnancy programs have shown that the high frequency of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes are closely associated with low socioeconomic status, poor prenatal nutrition and general health, and chemical use, but not maternal age. These adverse medical consequences and the psychosocial problem of the parents and infant are treatable with programs that adapt to the patient population and provide extensive support, education, and counseling in addition to continuity obstetric care initiated early in the pregnancy. One of the greatest needs of the adolescent is a competent and caring adult to serve as an advocate to guarantee access to medical and support services. To this end, responsible and qualified professionals who can relate to adolescents should resume this role in the coordination of a comprehensive care approach. This approach will not only reduce the medical risks associated with adolescent pregnancy, but it will decrease the number of repeat teenage pregnancies, promote school retention, increase compliance with health care regimens for the parent and child, and stimulate personal growth and development. All communities should develop programs to promote optimal medical care, psychosocial support, necessary financial support, and accessible education, since adolescent pregnancy occurs in all social, racial, ethnic, and economic groups in all parts of our country. Finally, the role of the adolescent father should be continually emphasized as a potential source of support to the adolescent mother and their infant and a stabilizer in the teenage family unit. In accord with such emphasis, recognition should be afforded to the psychologic and interpersonal needs of the adolescent father.
青少年怀孕是一个重大的健康和社会经济问题，对患者和社会有着独特的医学和心理社会后果。因此，它需要我们关注并理解该问题及其成因。调查数据表明，大多数青少年有性行为，目前每年几乎每10名青少年中就有1人怀孕。在过去20年里，全面的青少年怀孕项目显示，不良产科和新生儿结局的高发生率与社会经济地位低、产前营养和总体健康状况差以及药物使用密切相关，而与母亲年龄无关。这些不良医学后果以及父母和婴儿的心理社会问题可以通过适应患者群体的项目来治疗，这些项目除了在怀孕早期开始提供连续性产科护理外，还提供广泛的支持、教育和咨询。青少年最迫切需要的是有能力且富有爱心的成年人作为倡导者，以确保他们能够获得医疗和支持服务。为此，能够与青少年建立联系的负责任且合格的专业人员应在协调全面护理方法中重新承担起这一角色。这种方法不仅会降低与青少年怀孕相关的医学风险，还会减少青少年再次怀孕的数量，促进青少年继续上学，提高父母和孩子对医疗保健方案的依从性，并促进个人成长和发展。所有社区都应制定项目，以促进提供最佳医疗护理、心理社会支持、必要的经济支持和可及的教育，因为我国各地所有社会、种族、民族和经济群体中都存在青少年怀孕现象。最后，应持续强调青少年父亲的作用，他是青少年母亲及其婴儿潜在的支持来源，也是青少年家庭单元的稳定因素。基于这种强调，应认识到青少年父亲的心理和人际需求。
