THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MATERNAL ROLE PROMOTION PROGRAM AMONG POSTPARTUM ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study was carried out to study the effectiveness of the maternal role among postpartum adolescent mothers. The sample in this study consisted of 60 first time postpartum adolescent mothers, all between 12 and 19 years old, who had sustained the pregnancy for over 37 weeks, and received prenatal care and delivered at the Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok Metropolis and Vajira Hospital from January 2012 to March 2012 to All of them had given birth to healthy offspring. The sample was divided into 2 groups, 30 placed in the experimental group and another 30 in the comparison group.Samples were selected using the Purposive Sampling based on their qualifications and willingness to participate in the research, both groups, giving birth through normal delivery and caesarean section.The experimental group was given the maternal promotion program for postpartum adolescent mothers, whereas the comparison group received regular care. Data were collected by a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and the maternal role of the postpartum adolescent mothers, and statistically analyzed with percentages, means, standard deviations, and independent and paired t-tests.

The results revealed that the mothers in the experimental group had scored higher in knowledge and better attitudes toward the maternal role of the postpartum adolescent mothers than the mothers in the comparison group (p <0.01). This research recommends the implementation of the maternal role promotion program for postpartum adolescent mothers, with health services to promote the maternal role and infant development among adolescent mothers.