Adolescent pregnancy

This paper reviews the literature of the past seven years concerning adolescent pregnancy. Social and motivational factors leading to pregnancy are discussed and weighed. Obstetric aspects of adolescent pregnancy are reviewed as well as the repercussions of this event. Goals and objectives are proposed, including: (1) assurance of health education, including family life and sex education, in all private and public schools, from elementary grades through high school; (2) assuring that family planning services are available, accessible, and acceptable to all school-aged individuals who desire such services; (3) assuring availability of inexpensive, or free, and easily accessible pregnancy testing, backed up by counseling about alternatives available to the pregnant school-aged woman; (4) assuring that pregnant adolescents have alternatives to childbirth, ie, abortion services, foster care services, adoption services; (5) assuring that pregnant adolescents receive optimal prenatal care, including social and other support services as well as medical care, and that their families are involved in the care process; (6) assuring that school-aged individuals and their families receive postnatal and follow-up care that includes social and other support services as well as medical care.