Health-related problems in a vulnerable population - Pregnant teens and adolescent mothers

Childbearing adolescents are susceptible to a myriad of health-related prob lems. For these youth, health-related problems include both physiological a nd psychological disease states that negatively impact both their own and t heir children's lives. Suicide attempts, parenting problems (including chil d abuse), domestic violence, poor birth outcomes, and sexually-transmitted diseases (including HIV) are just some of the problems encountered. This ar ticle focuses on the relationship between lack of social and environmental resources and the risk factors for health problems in adolescent mothers an d provides recommendations for nursing assessment and intervention. The com plex nature of the relationship between lack of resources and the many risk factors for health-related problems in the lives of childbearing adolescen ts makes comprehensive health care a requirement. Nurses in school-based cl inics and community settings are in a unique position to provide access to the physical and mental health services necessary for pregnant adolescents and teen mothers.