AN EVALUATION OF A SUBSTANCE-ABUSE EDUCATION-PROGRAM FOR MISSISSIPPI DELTA PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS

A non-equivalent control group design was used to examine effectivenes s of a drug and alcohol abuse prenatal care health education program f or pregnant teens (N = 212) in the Mississippi delta region of souther n Illinois. Experimental group posttest knowledge scores were signific antly higher than control group scores; however, no significant differ ences occurred in attitudes between the two groups at posttest. Freque ncy of drug use decreased substantially for both experimental and cont rol groups at posttest; however, significantly more experimentals than controls indicated they reduced or quit using drugs. The experimental group had a significantly lower rate of diabetes, anemia, and sexuall y transmitted diseases, and possibly a lower rate of spontaneous abort ion depending on the statistical test used. Data suggest prenatal care health education programs may be effective methods for increasing pat ient awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and may hav e an effect on infant and maternal outcomes.