Development of Health Care Model for the Teenage-Pregnant Women in Phichit Province

Abstract

Development of Health Care Model for the Teenage-Pregnant Women in Phichit Province

Suppamas Chaiyapornpattana BPH, MPA*

Prapaiwan Danpradit Ed(Nursing), MEd**

Nitsana Singhakum MD***

* Public Health, Phichit Province

** Nursing Department, Naresuan University

*** Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangmulnak Hospital, Phichit Province

Objectives: To study health problems and health needs of teenage women during pregnancy and to develop health care models for the pregnant teenagers.

Study design: Descriptive study and innovative models development.

Subjects: Step 1 involved 2 groups of women. Group 1 was 20 teenage pregnant women who had antenatal care in 4 hospitals of Phichit province between June and September 2007. Group 2 was 49 key supporters of the women consisting of parents, community leaders, health volunteers, high school and vocational school teachers. Step 2 involved other 50 teenage pregnant women who had antenatal care in 12 hospitals of Phichit province between January and March 2008.

Methods: In step 1, health problems and health needs during pregnancy were collected by an in-depth interview from teenage pregnant women, and by an in-depth interview together with group discussion among the key supporters. In step 2, pregnant teenagers were asked to complete the developed questionnaires about health problems and health needs by their own. In step 3, data collected from the first 2 steps regarding the women's problems and their needs were used to develop innovative media models for health care.

Main outcome measures: Health problems and health needs of teenage pregnant women.

Results: The main health problems in teenage pregnant women identified from the interview in step 1 were:- the teenage pregnant women did not have affection for their babies and were not interested in raising the babies, leaving the burdens to their parents. Major health needs was the need to have available contraceptive pills sold in the general stores of the hospital with supervision from health personnel. Step 2-questionaires revealed low

or very low scores in many aspects of health care during pregnancy, such as; how to conduct themselves during illness, for their nutrition, for pregnancy complications, and contraception. The six most common needs for health education during pregnancy were: complications of pregnancy, breast feeding, prevention and treatments of cramps, signs of impending labor, contraceptive methods for child spacing, and prevention and treatment of anemia. Finally, in step 3; three innovative models were developed consisting of two media innovations entitled "Satir Model concept applied to the process of consultation pregnant teenagers to accept children and raising children" and "Prepare young mothers to families raising children with an emphasis on maintaining a passion". Another one was the booklet entitled "Document of contraception"

Conclusion: Most teenage pregnant women had incorrect health care during pregnancy and needed more knowledge in several aspects. They did not want to raise the babies by themselves. The researchers used these health problems and health need to develop and modify 3 innovative models of health care.

Key words: health care, teenage pregnancy, development of models

Vajira Med J 2009 ; 54 : 79 - 87