Health-related problems in a vulnerable population: pregnant teens and adolescent mothers

Childbearing adolescents are susceptible to a myriad of health-related problems. For these youth, health-related problems include both physiological and psychological disease states that negatively impact both their own and their children's lives. Suicide attempts, parenting problems (including child abuse), domestic violence, poor birth outcomes, and sexually-transmitted diseases (including HIV) are just some of the problems encountered. This article focuses on the relationship between lack of social and environmental resources and the risk factors for health problems in adolescent mothers and provides recommendations for nursing assessment and intervention. The complex nature of the relationship between lack of resources and the many risk factors for health-related problems in the lives of childbearing adolescents makes comprehensive health care a requirement. Nurses in school-based clinics and community settings are in a unique position to provide access to the physical and mental health services necessary for pregnant adolescents and teen mothers.