title: The Women's Centre in Jamaica: an innovative project for adolescent mothers.
abstract: In 1978 the Jamaican Women's Bureau established the Women's Centre, the first project in the developing world to help pregnant teenagers avoid the usual hardships of poverty and dependence. The women take courses in academic subjects and prenatal and postnatal health, and receive good medical care. Fathers and parents are involved in counseling sessions where practical life skills, including family planning, are emphasized. The young mothers improve dramatically in self-confidence, self-esteem, and in their ability to take care of their babies. The Centre's success has helped to loosen the policies of the Jamaican government on the education of pregnant school-age women.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012574:Schools