Socioeconomic characteristics of fathers of children born to teenage mothers in Stockholm, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
Teenage childbearing has been associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and the child. Despite this, no study in Sweden has focused on the fathers of those children. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the socioeconomic situation of fathers of children born to teenage mothers with those of children born to average-aged mothers.


METHODS
A descriptive comparative study was conducted, which comprised 132 fathers of children born to teenage mothers (Group A) and the same number of fathers of children born to older mothers (Group B). All fathers answered a structured questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and reproductive factors.


RESULTS
On certain critical variables the Group A fathers were more likely to have had a more compromised and difficult socioeconomic background. Compared with the Group B fathers they were more likely to have tried illicit drugs and to be involved in criminality. In addition, the Group A fathers often came from single-parent households.


CONCLUSIONS
Many fathers of children born to teenage mothers showed problem behaviours, which may negatively influence their ability to engage in successful parenting. Therefore increased attention should be paid to the fathers at an early stage of pregnancy, during the antenatal visits.
Ekéus
Cecilia
C
Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. cecilia_ekeus@yahoo.com
Christensson
Kyllike
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005220:Fathers / Q000145:classification* / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D013287:Illicit Drugs