267794 Supporting teen moms: A qualitative evaluation of a childbirth education and doula program for pregnant adolescents

Monday, October 29, 2012

Aleksandra Babic, MPH , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Sheryl L. Coley, MPH , Department of Public Health Education, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Christopher Seitz, MPH , Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Research indicates providing social support for pregnant adolescents can help foster good parenting practices and improve both maternal and infant health outcomes. In addition, doula support has been found to moderate better birth and postpartum outcomes, particularly among at-risk women. The YWCA's Teens Learning Childbirth (TLC) and Doula Program (DP) of Greensboro, NC provides childbirth classes and offers doula and mentor services to expectant teens. Current Y data indicated that teens utilizing doula services were more likely to have vaginal births (95% vs. 76%) and to breastfeed (81% vs. 61%) than those without doulas. Data also suggested utilization of the DP had been low and attendance at TLC classes inconsistent. This qualitative process evaluation was designed to examine stakeholders' perceptions of services in order to improve program utilization. Semi-structured interviews were completed with teen mother program participants (n=23), both pre- and post-natally, and with volunteer doulas and mentors (n=8). In addition field observations (n=19) of TLC classes were conducted to triangulate findings. Results identify gaps in both the framing and implementation of doula services. Teens were unaware that doulas provide support services during the entire pregnancy; were unaware of support doulas provide to family members; felt family members (particularly mothers) could serve as doulas; and had concerns with doulas replacing family members during delivery. Several teens also missed opportunities to be matched with a doula. Implications of these findings for improving utilization of doula services and coordinating support services and childbirth education for teen mothers will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session the participant should be able to: 1) Describe teen mothers and doulas’ experiences with a community-based pregnancy support program. 2) Explain the implications of these evaluation results for improving doula services and childbirth education for teen mothers.

Keywords: Teen Pregnancy, Community Health Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a masters of public health and am a doctoral student of public health education. I have been studying and working in qualitative research, community-based participatory research, and evaluation studies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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