 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Julie Baylor, MSN, RN1, Louise H. Flick, DrPH2, Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, PhD3, Sharon M. Homan, PhD4, Claudia Campbell, PhD5, Lisa Parnell, MSW6, and Mary Elizabeth Gallagher, PhD6. (1) School of Nursing, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, 309-245-4487, jksb@bradley.edu, (2) Schools of Nursing and Public Health, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, (3) School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, (4) School of Public Health, St. Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (5) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Layfayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (6) School of Social Service, St. Louis University, Tegeler Hall, Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104
Adolescent girls in relationships with males who are at least 5 years older are more likely to become parents. Data suggest age-discrepant fathers are immature for their age and may have more problem behaviors. Studies are few and and limited by confounding socioeconomic characteristics and missing data from unidentified fathers. This cross-sectional study of 173 WIC enrolled, low-income pregnant women aged 13-18 compares the problem characteristics of age-discrepant and non-age-discrepant fathers. The sample is a subset of 745 pregnant women recruited from rural and urban WIC sites and stratified by race to be representative of the counties sampled. Most interviews (85%) were done in the first trimester. The selected women answered questions about the baby's father. Information included: substances used, weapon carrying, fighting, number of children and illegal activities. Data is available on 168 fathers, aged 13 to 65, with 26% at least 5 years older than the mother at the time of the interview. Bivariate statistical analyses (in progress) will compare fathers' characteristics in age-discrepant relationships with those in non-age-discrepant relationships. Father characteristics significantly associated with an age-discrepant relationship will be included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust for socioeconomic variables in the association between problem behaviors and other father characteristics and the presence of an age-discrepant relationship (dependent variable). Understanding the magnitude of the problem would allow for more specific targeted family planning and sex education of the adolescent females and of the older males.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.