Pregnant Teens with Older Partners: More Health Risks?

This study reports that a pregnant adolescent whose sexual partner is five or more years older is not at greater risk of being a victim of physical or sexual violence compared to one whose partner is no more than two years older. However, pregnant girls with older partners engage in more behaviors that risk the health of the unborn baby or themselves.

Subjects were 503 pregnant girls, ages 12-17, enrolled in prenatal care. The authors found that the 26% with older partners were more likely to have: 1) had first intercourse before age 13, 2) dropped out of school, 3) used marijuana within the past month, and 4) used alcohol within the past week. These teens were also more likely to already have a child, be married or living with the older partner, and express a desire for the current pregnancy. They were no more likely to use tobacco than pregnant girls with same-age partners.

(Rickert VI et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997; 151: 276- 280)

COMMENT: In nursing assessment of pregnant students, asking about the age of the partners may help identify those girls who are at greater risk of substance abuse before, during and after pregnancy. -J.O.