ADEQUACY OF PRENATAL-CARE OF URBAN HIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS

Relationships of five selected variables to the adequacy of prenatal c are of pregnant students in urban public high schools were studied. Th ese five variables were: the age of the baby's father, mother's educat ion, parity, living arrangement, and functional areas of support. From 1986 to 1989, a convenience sample of 244 African American, unmarried , pregnant students completed a prenatal questionnaire. The Resource S ize scale, a subscale in the questionnaire, was tested on pregnant stu dents, and its coefficient alpha for internal consistency was .86. Add itional data were obtained from the state's live birth certificate tap e. Results showed that the age of the baby's father was significantly associated with adequacy of prenatal care. Because 51% of the babies' fathers are age 15-19 and most likely in school, the community and sch ool health nurses may encourage them to get involved in the care of pr egnant students. Other implications are also drawn.