EFFECTS OF A NUTRITION PROMOTION PROGRAM ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

This study was quasi-experimental research aimed at investigating the effects of a nutrition promotion program on outcomes of pregnancy in adolescents. The study sample consisted of 46 pregnant adolescents aged 13-19 years whose gestational age was between 28-30 weeks at the beginning of the study. The sample was selected according to the inclusion criteria. The control group (n = 23) received routine nursing care, while the experimental group (n = 23) received routine nursing care together with the nutrition promoting program from the researcher. (The program consisted of providing knowledge as a group and individual, promoting learning through participatory group discussions and telephone follow-ups.) Data were collected by means of monitoring outcomes of pregnancy including gestational ages at delivery and birth weight. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. The findings revealed that the proportions of preterm birth and low birth weight in the experimental group were lower than the control group with no statistical significance (p = .244 and p = .054). However, it was found that the mean birth weight of the infants born to the subjects in the experimental group was higher than that of the infants born to the subjects in the control group with statistical significance (p < .05). The research results indicate that the program tend to be useful for pregnant adolescents.