The Article in Brief

Motivational Intervention to Reduce Rapid Subsequent Birth to Adolescent Mothers: A Community-Based Randomized Trial

Beth Barnet, and colleagues

Background Almost one-quarter of adolescent mothers give birth to another child within 2 years of having a baby. Repeat births in adolescents have been shown to increase risks of poorer medical, educational, economic, and developmental outcomes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a program that combines computerized information, individual counseling by community members, and home visits. Some participants received additional services, such as parenting training. The goal of the program was to prevent rapid repeat births in low-income African-American adolescent mothers.

What This Study Found The program was effective in reducing subsequent birth within 24 months in teen mothers. The group that received additional services, including parenting training, had a 44% reduction in repeat births. Mothers in this group who reported continuous insurance coverage had the greatest reduction in the risk of repeat births.

Implications

• Receipt of at least two computer-assisted motivational intervention sessions reduces the risk of rapid subsequent birth to low-income, African American adolescent mothers.
• The approach used in this study can be effective in reducing repeat births, but its impact may be affected by participants' insurance coverage.