The Article in Brief

Home Visiting for Adolescent Mothers: Effects on Parenting, Maternal Life Course, and Primary Care Linkage

Beth Barnet, MD , and colleagues

Background Adolescent mothers have high rates of repeat pregnancy, depression, and school dropout, and less chance of being financially independent in the future. This study evaluates a program for pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers in which trained home visitors provide parenting education, encouragement to use contraception and continue school, and connection to primary medical care.

What This Study Found The home-visiting program improved teenage mothers’ attitudes and beliefs about parenting and helped them stay in school. It did not reduce repeat pregnancy or depression and did not provide coordination with primary care.

Implications

• Home visiting can provide important results for low-income adolescent mothers.
• Community-based home-visiting programs and primary care practices may achieve greater benefits if they work together to develop and test methods to coordinate care for high-risk adolescents.