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Regional Forum Stresses Prevention of Repeat Adolescent Pregnancies Fifty-eight professionals who work with adolescents from the eight county region attended an educational forum entitled "Preventing Repeat Adolescent Pregnancies" at the Peterkin Center in Romney. The forum was sponsored by the Region VIII Adolescent Health Task Force. Edward A. Smith, Dr. PH, Associate Professor of Human Development at Penn State, began his presentation by asserting that teen pregnancy prevention programs are missing an obvious opportunity to have an impact if they are not targeting teens who have already had a baby. A teen mother who is 17 years of age or younger has a 60% chance of conceiving another child within 24 months if there is no prevention plan in place. In fact, one of the greatest risk factors for teen pregnancy is a previous pregnancy. Dr. Smith discussed common characteristics of programs which have been successful in preventing repeat teen pregnancies. These programs had to be targeted to teen moms and aimed at long term change in the teen’s life. They had to offer new opportunities and alter her life trajectory. They had to give the teen a chance to learn new skills to cope with life changes and strengthen her natural supports such as family, community and school settings. Successful programs at preventing a second teen pregnancy had three major requirements: (1) personalized contraceptive case management; (2) assistance to the teen mom in establishing a new/altered life course; and (3) monitoring of an education about her baby’s development. Dr. Smith went on to discuss "First Babies First" a program for teen mothers in Catawba County, North Carolina. In addition to providing Social Work and Nursing CEU’s to professionals working with teens in the eight counties, the forum afforded them an excellent networking opportunity. The Region VIII Task Force on Adolescent Health plans to continue educational activities in the region. Their next meeting is planned for July 21, 1997 at the WV School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney. Individuals interested in the Task Force should contact Chris Merritt, Region VIII Adolescent Health Specialist, at (304) 358-7230 for information. The Region VIII Task Force on Adolescent Health expresses their appreciation to Chestnut Ridge Hospital for their financial contribution to the regional forum "Preventing Repeat Adolescent pregnancies"
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