Behavior changes before and after child birth in migrant and non migrant adolescent mothers from a US-Mexico border city

INTRODUCTION: In Tijuana, Mexico, immigration has determined the population growth model. One segment vulnerable to these changes is adolescents experiencing early maternity. OBJECTIVE: Identify socioeconomic characteristics and behavior changes in migrant and non-migrant adolescent mothers before and after child birth in Tijuana, Mexico. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in two public hospitals. 324 mothers between 12 and 19 years old were interviewed. The first measurement was performed just after child delivery and the second, three months later, where only 147 attended. Those living less than 5 years in Tijuana were classified as migrants, whereas those with more than 5 years were considered non-migrants, bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and T tests. RESULTS: Of 34% who reported using some contraceptive method before pregnancy only 27% were migrant (p=0.04) and of 23% who reported being students before becoming pregnant, only 14% were migrant (p=0.002) Migrants presented less prenatal control 72% vs 82% of non migrant adolescent mothers (p=0.08). Of 39% of the woman who were working before becoming pregnant, 47% were migrant vs. 36% non-migrant, and three months after child birth 27% of migrants kept working vs. 12% of non-migrants (p=0.02). There were no statistical differences between mean age of initiation of sexual activities (15.5 years SD=1.4 ), number of sexual partners (1.6 SD=1.9) and educational level (7.9years SD=2.1) CONCLUSIONS: The differences encountered suggest disadvantages in the migrant group and a less certain future. There is an urgent need to implement more precise health educational programs in order to respond to this social and health threat.