Background: Adverse birth outcomes are more common among adolescent versus adult mothers, but little is known about school-based services that may improve birth outcomes in this group. Methods: Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed. Girls and women who gave birth to singleton live infants…

The family life educator is in a strategic position to assist in designing school and community programs for the unwed mother and the child. It appears important that the theories of causation be explored without bias; that prenatal and postnatal care be offered; that mental health consultation, therapy and crisis-therapy be promoted and the…

Major concepts of the Health Belief Model, perceived susceptibility and perceived severity, can be applied to family planning, including the use or non-use of contraception among sexually active adolescent females. (Author/CJ)

This paper explores the problems of the unwanted child, drawing most of its material from studies of unwed mothers. The consequences of an unwanted birth for the child, the parents and society are discussed. (RP)

A family life education program for adolescents in Oaxaca, Mexico is described. Effects of the program, which used a values clarification approach, are discussed. (CJ)

In order to help improve the effectiveness of birth control education programs, a film was produced focusing on the psychological motives involved in the nonuse of birth control among teenagers. (MM)

The authors presented a questionnaire to students at the beginning of a family life and sex education course. Attitudes of male and female students about such issues as the following are compared and discussed: reasons for course enrollment, attitudes on nonmarital intercourse, intent to marry, and opinions about virginity of peers. The authors…

The family life education program implemented by San Diego State University consisted of a statewide advisory committee, a study of teaching and training practices, training for community involvement, and preservice education classes. Findings and details of methodology are explained. (DF)

Describes adolescents' use of school-based health clinics (SBCs) for family planning and sexually transmitted disease (STD)-related services, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results indicated that 13 percent received family planning and 8.9 percent received STD-related services from SBCs. Factors affecting the…

Examines problems and potential solutions concerning adolescent parenthood. (PB)

Three articles describe health programs in the People's Republic of China: (1) "Health Education in Schools" (Nicholas K. Iammarino); (2) "Health Care System and Nursing" (Veronica D. Feeg); and (3) "Family Planning Education" (Marian V. Hamburg). (CJ)

This study identified factors related to the timing of first visits to school-based family planning clinics by 144 female adolescents. Analysis of self-administered questionnaires indicated that school-based clinics provide services which reduce delay time for first-time visits. Students tend to use such services earlier when they are available at…

For school-based health clinics (SBHCs) to succeed, the agenda for school-based care must reflect the community's needs and priorities. The article presents focus group data from three SBHCs in rural and urban Louisiana, demonstrating how controversies about reproductive health may frame more general concerns about school-based care. (SM)