The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67594

Louise H. Flick, DrPH¹, Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, PhD², Sharon M. Homan, PhD³, Maryellen McSweeney, PhD⁴, Claudia Campbell, PhD⁵, Lisa Parnell, MSW⁶, and Mary Elizabeth Gallagher, PhD⁶. (1) Schools of Nursing and Public Health, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-577-8992, flicklh@slu.edu, (2) School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, (3) School of Public Health, St. Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (4) School of Nursing, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, 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

Sexual or physical violence and problem behaviors increase the risk of adolescent pregnancy. In our study of 745 WIC enrolled women, assessed during pregnancy with a structured psychiatric interview (DIS), the 48% whose first birth had occurred in adolescence (<19) were twice as likely to have current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This cross-sectional study explores associations between adolescent first birth and childhood/adolescent problem behaviors (oppositional and conduct symptoms), adult problem behaviors (antisocial personality symptoms), types of traumatic events and the age when they occurred. Current circumstances (life events and partner abuse) are also explored. We found oppositional and conduct disorder symptoms are associated with adolescent birth but not adult antisocial personality disorder symptoms. Findings indicate no association between early childbirth and number or type of traumatic events (either for all events or the one worst event). But, event timing is important; women experiencing their worst traumatic event in early adolescence (age 12 -16) have a 3.5 times greater risk (95% CI 1.9-6.4) of adolescent first birth than women whose event occurred after age 20. Events occurring in late adolescence (age 16-19) carry a modest elevated risk (OR 2.2, CI 1.2-4.2) while events in childhood (age 2-11) are unassociated in spite of a high incidence of rape. Women who delivered their first babies in adolescence also report more stressful events and physical abuse in the current pregnancy. These data suggest events and behaviors in adolescence, including early first birth, have bearing on subsequent exposure to stressful events, abuse and PTSD risk.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe potential risk factors for adolescent first birth
• Identify associations between adolescent first birth and traumatic event types and age of occurrence
• Pose hypotheses about the relationship between adolescent first birth and risk of later posttraumatic stress syndrome

Keywords: Maternal Health, Violence

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.