Abstract
This longitudinal study described a sample of 74 high-risk adolescent women with respect to their demographic characteristics, pregnancy attitudes, self-efficacy, and knowledge and attitudes about contraception and condoms, at the time they received a negative pregnancy test result at a large urban women's health center. Eighteen months after the negative test result, interviews and medical record reviews were completed to determine pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) outcomes for the women in the sample.
A sub-sample of the adolescents (15) were enrolled into an intensive Teen CARE intervention (grounded in self-efficacy, transtheoretical, and adolescent-friendly models of care) and were followed according to the protocol for 18 months. By using a case study approach to analyze adolescents' patterns of enrollment, adherence, and outcomes regarding the Teen CARE program, these cases helped us to further understand key elements of the intervention. The research and clinical experience was combined with a review of research literature and published guidelines from similar studies and interventions. Our empirical findings and the published evidence were compiled into an evidence-based set of guidelines for caring for adolescent women who are sexually active and have a negative pregnancy test (See link to Teen CARE manual).
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