Pat W. Mosena, PhD, Director, Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Project, 5646 Kimbark, Chicago, IL 60637, 773-288-1682, mosena@aol.com and Holly S. Ruch-Ross, ScD, Research & Evaluation Consultant, 9345 Avers Ave, Evanston, IL 60203.

Second and higher order births among adolescents often limit life options, and subsequent births occur more rapidly among Hispanic adolescents. Over 3000 first-time adolescent mothers have successfully delayed a second pregnancy while participating in the Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Program (ISPP). Intensive home visiting services coupled with reproductive health training have yielded consistent outcomes across time, (1994-2004) and adolescent populations (African American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Caucasian). Only 2-4% of the young mothers (ages 14-18) participating in ISPP had a second pregnancy, and 75-80% remained in and/or graduated from high school each year. The current analysis compares patterns of contraceptive use among African American and Mexican participants, the two predominant groups in ISPP. Ages at intake are similar (16.5 years). Young African American mothers are more likely to be in school (92 % vs 70%); and less likely to live in two parent households (25% vs. 44%). Fathers of the babies of Mexican participants are slightly older (19.9 vs. 18.7 years) and more likely to be present in the household (44% vs. 4%). At intake, Mexican participants report lower rates of contraception (59% vs 70%) and condom use (25% vs. 55%). During the program year, use of contraception increases for both groups with no significant difference by year-end (89% vs 92%); however, Mexican participants remain less likely to use a condom at last intercourse (38% vs 79%). This paper uses multivariate analysis to explore patterns of contraceptive use and points of program impact for these two vulnerable groups of adolescent mothers.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Discuss effective components of a Subsequent Pregnancy program model to delay second pregnancies among diverse groups of adolescent mothers.
• Identify differences in issues related to delay of subsequent pregnancy between adolescent African American and Mexican program participants.
• Discuss barriers to effective implementation of community-based program models for inner-city adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.