Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111242

Kimberly Ross, MPH¹, Barbara W. Sugland, MPH, ScD¹, and Loral Patchen-Torres, CNM². (1) Center for Applied Research & Technical Assistance, Inc., 1800 N. Charles Street, Suite 902, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-625-6250, kross@cartainc.org, (2) TAPP, Division of Women's Services, Washington Hospital Center, 100 Irving Street, NW, East Building G105, Washington, DC 20010

This paper presents findings from a two-year evaluation of The Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting (TAPP), a community-based subsequent pregnancy prevention program serving low-income, African-American and Latina adolescent females in Washington, D.C. TAPP uses a combined clinical and social support model to build social and developmental competencies and prevent subsequent pregnancy among pregnant and parenting teens. The evaluation examines pathways between program participation, competency acquisition, and subsequent pregnancy; documents the relative influence of TAPP on subsequent pregnancy for particular teens; and the relative influence of particular competencies on the avoidance of subsequent pregnancy. The evaluation sample includes approximately 200 adolescent mothers eighteen years of age or younger at the time of study enrollment. Data are taken from baseline and follow-up in-person client surveys, program participation records, case manager reports and clinical data. Findings will focus on six and twelve month follow-up data, including subsequent pregnancy rates and competency acquisition. The presentation will outline evaluation methods; highlight key findings regarding the benefits of a combined clinical and social support model for promoting social and developmental competencies and delaying subsequent pregnancy among teen mothers; and discuss implications for improving practice.

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