Abstract

ALONSO URIA, Rosa María et al. The education of adolescent mothers to take care of their children. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3038.

An educative intervention was carried out among 253 adolescent mothers and their children born in the Gynecoobstetric Teaching Hospital of Guanabacoa in 2000. All mothers showed learning needs that were identified in 34.8 % of them by nominal groups and group discussions, in 40.7 % by surveys and in 24.5 % by in-depth interviews. On diagnosing the needs, the intervention topics were determined and an educative program for adolescent mothers was designed and applied during the first three years of life to their children. The content of the program was based on the following aspects: responsible maternity and paternity, general care of the newborn, growth, development and stimulation of abilities, accidents, responsible sexuality and social incorporation. Among the main results of the research-action it was found that 90.9 % of the children were normoweight, 98 % presented a normal neurological physical examination. The test of intellectual development was also normal in 97.6 %, morbidity was reduced and breast-feeding was guaranteed in 90.9 % of the cases. More than 90 % were not admitted in the hospital during this period. By implementing the educative program, there were modified habits and lifestyles that allowed a better behavior of the health-disease process in the children of adolescent mothers.

Keywords : Mothers; adolescents; educative program; learning needs.

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