Availability of Reproductive Health Care Services at Schools and Subsequent Birth Outcomes Among Adolescent Mothers
Journal of School Health / The Journal of School Health
Published online on June 01, 2016
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Adverse birth outcomes are more common among adolescent versus adult mothers, but little is known about school‐based services that may improve birth outcomes in this group.
METHODS
Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed. Girls and women who gave birth to singleton live infants after Wave I and before age 20, were still in secondary school while pregnant, and had complete data (N = 402) were included. Mothers reported infants' birthweight and gestational age. School administrators reported whether family planning counseling, diagnostic screening (including sexually transmitted diseases [STDs]), STD treatment, and prenatal/postpartum health care were provided on‐site at school at Wave I. Multilevel models adjusted for individual and school characteristics were conducted.
RESULTS
Few schools offered reproductive health care services on‐site. In multilevel analyses, availability of family planning counseling (Est. β = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04‐0.38 p < 0.05) and prenatal/postpartum health care (Est. β = 0.21, 95% CI 0.02‐0.40 p < 0.05) were significantly associated with increased infant birthweight. No services examined were significantly associated with increased gestational age.
CONCLUSIONS
Some school‐based reproductive health services may improve subsequent birth outcomes among adolescent mothers. Future analyses should examine the mechanisms by which services impact birth outcomes.