Comprehensive clinic-based programs for pregnant & parenting teens

There is strong evidence that comprehensive clinic-based programs that support pregnant and parenting teens reduce rapid repeat pregnancies among participants^{2, 3}. Such programs also appear to promote clinic attendance and increase immunization completion for infants³.

Comprehensive programs based in large urban hospital and clinic facilities with multi-disciplinary teams have been shown to reduce repeat pregnancies among minority and low income adolescent mothers through 18 months post-partum^{2, 3}. An assessment of the Philadelphia-based Health Care Program for First-Time Adolescent Mothers and their Infants, for example, indicates that black teenage mothers with Medicaid are less likely to experience a repeat pregnancy within 18 months than non-participating peers⁴ and an assessment of the Generations program in Washington, D.C. indicates increased contraceptive and condom use for 12 months among black teenage mothers⁵. An evaluation of the Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (CAMP) indicates that participants who choose to use long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) appear least likely to become pregnant again⁶.

Integrated clinical and social services, combined mother and infant care, contraceptive education, and a multi-disciplinary youth-oriented approach appear to increase program effectiveness. Providing easy access to services and reaching young women at antenatal and postnatal consultations for their first pregnancy may also increase program effectiveness¹.