Reducing teenage and unintended pregnancies through client-centered and family-focused school-based family planning programs
Porter, L.S.
Journal of Pediatric Nursing 13(3): 158-163
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0882-5963 PMID: 9640009 DOI: 10.1016/s0882-5963(98)80074-2Document Number: 450353
Family planning has been identified as a national priority for reducing the numbers of teenage and unintended pregnancies, as well as for improving health promotion and disease prevention. Particular target populations for teen pregnancies are Black and Hispanic women aged 15-19, while all reproductive-age Black women can be targeted for reductions in the number of unintended pregnancies. National baseline data for 1988 indicate that 56% of pregnancies in the previous 5 years were unintended, either unwanted or earlier than desired. 78% of those reported unintended pregnancies were to Black women. An holistic approach to primary prevention is needed in order to reduce the incidence of such pregnancies through family planning. Building upon Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings, Orem's Self-Care Theory, and Rosenstack's Health Belief Model, a client-centered and family-focused school-based family planning program is proposed. Family nurse practitioners play an important role in the development and implementation of such programs.