[Medium-term effect of an intervention program for adolescent mothers]

To analyze the medium-term results of an experimental study which evaluates the effects of home visits by para-professionals to a sample of adolescent mothers, which was successful in the short-term.

Quantitative, follow up of two cohorts. FIELD OF STUDY: Two health centers in low socioeconomic areas, Santiago, Chile.

From a sample of 104 adolescent mothers and their children, 69 were contacted when their sons or daughters were 48 month old. Lost data was about 33.6%.

Outcomes variables were: mental health of the mothers; their social, work, and family integration; their interaction with the child; and language and socio-emotional development of the child. The independent variable was the intervention: home visiting. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT: The short-term evaluation in the experimental and control groups was carried out using standardized questionnaires when the children were between 12 and 15 months old, and the medium-term evaluation at the age of 48 months.

The short term positive effects on the mental health of the mother and on language development of the child were not sustained in the medium-term. The only positive effect was the stability in the relationship with their partners.

On the basis of these results, the importance of maintaining regular visits, in order to prevent the fading of the initial effects, is discussed.