Optimizing Preconception Health among Young Women: What Are We Missing?

Abstract

Study objective: To evaluate whether receipt of specific preconception counseling topics differs between teen, young adult, and older mothers. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A survey of 291 primarily low-income, minority mothers with young children at pediatric practices in Baltimore, Maryland was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models generated relative odds of preconception counseling receipt comparing teens (ages 14-19 years) and young adults (ages 20-24 years) to adult women (age ≥25 years) controlling for demographic characteristics, parity, and pregnancy intention.

Results: Teen mothers were less than half as likely to be counseled about taking folic acid, 4 times more likely to be counseled about vaccines, and twice as likely to be counseled about mental health before pregnancy compared with adult mothers.

Conclusion: Adolescent preventive care might promote some aspects of preconception health, but topics related specifically to pregnancy outcomes might be missed. Because of the high rate of unplanned teen pregnancy in the United States, additional strategies to promote preconception health in this population are warranted.

Keywords: Preconception health; Teen pregnancy; Unintended pregnancy.