This brief Kids Count report reviews principal adverse birth outcomes that affect the status of infants in Montana, including infant mortality and low birth weight. Statistics and brief summaries are provided in the following areas: (1) infant mortality (on the decline since 1989); (2) low birth rate (remaining steady from 1988 through 1992); (3)…

Addresses the issue of pregnancy in adolescent girls from a psychiatric viewpoint. Explores why adolescent girls become pregnant; how pregnancy affects the adolescent's emotional process; pregnant adolescents becoming emotional/physical "at-risk" cases; and which factors affect the birth-delivery process. Discusses how sex education can help…

Considers sociological theories of delinquency causation in order to attempt to integrate research from the fields of optometry, audiology, neurology, and pediatric medicine into the mainstream of sociological theories of delinquency causation. Found strong and consistent relationships between the presence of these health problems and delinquency.…

Risks are greater for infants born to mothers who drink, smoke, use drugs, have poor nutrition, lack adequate prenatal care, or who are in adolescence. Parenting education and promoting healthy lifestyles among expectant parents is an essential component of education for responsible sexuality. (JN)

The literature is reviewed in terms of medical studies: who becomes pregnant, teenagers who choose to abort, psychological considerations, contraceptive utilization, attitudes of male adolescents, and the children of adolescents. The effectiveness of special programs for pregnant adolescents and their offspring and implications for policy and…

A review of the recent literature on pregnancy resolution among unmarried adolescent women suggests that those who seek and go through with an abortion do not comprise a "special" population, but are similar to their age mates in many of their social and psychological characteristics. (Author/DB)

Presents a study designed to determine which particular aspects of pregnancy, birth, and babies were of most interest to 8-year-old children. Children were interested in details of a baby's behavior and development as well as the impact of its arrival on the parents. There were distinct gender differences in those topics, which particularly…

The effects of anticonvulsant medication or alcohol use during pregnancy on the development of children are examined. Malformations of children whose mothers used anticonvulsant medications or alcohol while pregnant are illustrated. Prevention of the use of alcohol and anticonvulsant medication by pregnant women is discussed. (CR)

A study examining the relationship between acculturation and sexual activity, contraceptive use, and attitudes toward self surveyed 290 Los Angeles area Latina adolescents. Less acculturated adolescents were less likely to engage in sexual activity, with place of birth being the most powerful predictor of differences. Implications for pregnancy…

Notes the importance of more fully appreciating and developing the role of advocacy within the health education profession, explaining that a systems approach can be used as a framework to develop and implement an advocacy action plan and presenting an example of advocating for the promotion of female condoms as a method of preventing sexually…

Examined high-risk sexual behavior in adolescents (N=212) involved in juvenile justice system. Found that youth were at high risk for unintended pregnancy, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and other sexually transmitted disease. Compared to national norms, sample reported very early mean age at first intercourse and high rate of pregnancy. Most…

Reviews studies of adolescent pregnancy since 1982 and relates them to a study of teen pregnancy in Duval County (Florida). Discusses incidence, causes and health, social and economic consequences. (FMW)

This article discusses the intersection of sexism and racism in three aspects of minority students' educational experiences: the role of myths and stereotypes about minority student sexuality, adolescent pregnancy, and AIDS education among minority and non-minority adolescent populations. (IAH)

Examines the association between the physical and mental health problems of adolescent mothers, as compared to those of sexually inactive adolescents and sexually active adolescents who are not rearing children. Discusses results in terms of the conceptualization of potential intervention approaches. (JS)

Data from the 1988 National Family Growth Cycle IV are used to identify individual, family, sociocultural, and social structure factors that influence pregnancy resolution decisions of first conception among African American and Hispanic American adolescents aged 15 to 21 years. The discriminating power of variables differs with race and…