Repeat Pregnancy Prevention for Teenage Mothers

Abstract

Repeat pregnancy among adolescent mothers is a significant public health concern, associated with a higher risk of obstetric complications compared to normal pregnancies. Besides the mother and fetus, this issue threatens the previous child, the family, and socioeconomic stability. The contributing factors include a lack of accurate and effective knowledge about contraception, particularly regarding semi-permanent methods such as contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Additional factors include unawareness of strategies to prevent repeat pregnancies, misconceptions and misleading beliefs about birth control, and the absence of bargaining power to negotiate pregnancy prevention.

Empirical evidence suggests that concepts and theories related to information delivery, awareness and motivation promotion, empowerment, and self-efficacy enhancement have been applied in managing repeat pregnancies at family and individual levels. These approaches involve disseminating essential knowledge that adolescent mothers may lack or require, addressing the causes, contributing factors, and impacts of repeat pregnancy, as well as providing information on semi-permanent contraceptive methods. Such efforts aim to enhance adolescent mothers’ self-awareness, foster a more profound understanding of their circumstances, and equip them to recognize and address the potential challenges associated with repeat pregnancies. Teenage mothers' motivation and self-efficacy were nurtured alongside the development of negotiation and contraceptive skills. Additionally, they were provided convenient and timely access to contraceptive services, avenues for communicating challenges, and collaboratively finding solutions. These efforts ultimately aimed to empower adolescent mothers to effectively prevent repeat pregnancies and sustain behaviors that support long-term pregnancy prevention.