Qualitative study on subsequent pregnancies of teenage mothers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Repeat Pregnancies in Adolescents: Teenage Parents Experiences of Subsequent Pregnancies whilst Recruited to the Family Nurse Partnership in Lambeth
IRAS ID
217085
Contact name
Debra Bick
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 5 days
Research summary
The aim of the research study is to better understand the perspectives of younger mothers in regards to subsequent pregnancy within 24 months of the birth of their first child. Evidence has shown that repeat pregnancies for young parents have implications on health and wellbeing including low birth weight, prematurity, increased infant mortality within the first year, poor educational/ employment attainment for both mother and child, poorer parenting practices, increased poverty and increased mental health issues (Public Health England, 2016, World Health Organisation (WHO), 2015).
The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is an evidence based, intensive home visiting programme that aims to improve the outcomes of teenage families (FNP,2016). It has a primary outcome to reduce subsequent pregnancies within 24 months, however Robling et al's (2015) first randomised control trial into the UK FNP delivery found that the programme was not effective in this area when compared to universal services or US programme delivery
The research study will use 1 hour, semi structured interviews to gather information from 10 FNP clients in Lambeth. The interviews have the objective of further exploring; the support younger mothers received from healthcare professionals, the influences of healthcare professionals and other factors influence on having a second baby, their support needs during and/or after having a second baby, their views on contraception and the advice they received, how well prepared they felt for parenthood and what could have helped them further.Using Interpretive Phenomological Analysis, the researcher hopes to gain a unique insight into the personal and social world of the participant and hopes to support improvement of health care professional understanding and practice in the area of repeat pregnancies for younger parents. The FNP programme is undergoing a period of adaptation due to Robling et al’s (2015) recent RCT results. The research study hopes to provide evidence that will support further research in the area.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0528
Date of REC Opinion
6 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion