A comparison of the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the postpartum learning needs of adolescent mothers and their mothers and to compare the differences between the learning needs of the 2 groups of women.


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional survey design.


METHODS
One university hospital and 2 private Midwestern hospitals.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 100 women (50 mother/daughter pairs).


METHODS
Postpartum teaching questionnaire-E, postpartum teaching questionnaire-F, and demographic questionnaire.


RESULTS
There were no group differences between adolescent mothers and their mothers on baby-care items, but there were group differences on 3 maternal-care items: emotional changes (p < .001), resumption of sexual activity (p < .001), and birth control (p = .009).


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses may need to use different teaching strategies for adolescent mothers and their mothers about resumption of sexual activity, but the teaching strategies necessary for other postpartum topics may be similar. Further research is needed to determine where those similarities may be and to determine the most effective teaching strategies for each group of mothers.
Bowman
Katherine G
KG
Institutional National Research Service Award Program for women's health in the School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA. kbowman@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Ruchala
Patsy L
PL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires