Introduction
Maria’s characteristics are relevant to the targeted population because she represents the challenges many adolescent females face, including limited access to health education, lack of family support, and difficulty balancing school and family responsibilities (Singla et al., 2020). Targeting this population with a comprehensive health promotion plan that includes education and access to healthcare resources can help reduce teen pregnancy and improve outcomes for adolescent mothers and their children.
First Step
During the first step of the face-to-face educational session, I would introduce myself to Maria and aim to establish a sense of trust and safety. I would create a non-judgmental and supportive environment that encourages her to share her concerns and ask questions openly. I would also explain the purpose of the session and set clear goals and expectations for our discussion. By doing so, I want to make Maria feel comfortable and motivated to engage in the educational session. After establishing trust and rapport with Maria, I would acknowledge her concerns about her pregnancy and express support and empathy for her situation.
Relevant Information
I would provide her with accurate and relevant information about prenatal care, potential risks of teenage pregnancy, and strategies for maintaining a healthy pregnancy (CDC, 2021):
Prenatal Care: Prenatal care refers to the healthcare that a pregnant woman receives during her pregnancy. Prenatal care is crucial to ensure the mother’s and baby’s health and well-being. Prenatal care aims to monitor the pregnancy, identify potential complications, and manage them to provide the best possible outcome. Prenatal care typically involves regular check-ups with a healthcare provider, including physical exams, ultrasound scans, blood tests, and other diagnostic tests.
Potential Risks of Teenage Pregnancy: Teenage pregnancy can pose several risks to the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. Some possible hazards include the following:
- Increased risk of medical complications during pregnancy and childbirth, such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor.
- A higher likelihood of giving birth to a low birth weight baby can increase the risk of health problems and developmental delays.
- Increased risk of postpartum depression and other mental health issues.
- Higher likelihood of dropping out of school and facing economic challenges.
Strategies for Maintaining a Healthy Pregnancy: Here are some strategies that can help maintain a healthy pregnancy (Nkhoma et al., 2020):
- Attend regular prenatal check-ups and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
- Stay physically active by engaging in exercise that is safe for pregnant women.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs, as they can harm the baby’s development.
- Get enough rest and sleep to support the demands of pregnancy.
- Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.
- Seek support from family, friends, or a healthcare professional if you struggle with emotional or mental health issues.
Community Resources and Support Services
I would also discuss the importance of seeking timely and appropriate medical care and the benefits of accessing community resources and support services. We would review available resources in the community, such as local clinics and organizations that offer support and education for teenage mothers.
Local Health Clinics: These clinics often provide prenatal care, family planning, and other reproductive health services. Some clinics may offer services on a sliding fee scale or have programs specifically for low-income individuals.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program: This program provides nutrition education, counseling, and support to low-income pregnant women and their children up to age five. It also provides food vouchers for nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Teen Parenting Programs: These programs are often run by community organizations or schools and provide education and support to teenage parents. They may offer classes on parenting skills, child development, and financial management.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers: These centers offer counseling and support to pregnant women and their partners. They may provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and other services. It’s important to note that not all crisis pregnancy centers offer accurate and unbiased information about all pregnancy options.
Community Health Fairs: These events may offer free health screenings and education on various health topics, including prenatal care and parenting.
Social Services Agencies: These agencies may offer financial assistance, housing support, and other services to low-income families, including teenage mothers.
Support Groups: Support groups for teenage mothers can provide emotional support and a sense of community. They may be run by community organizations or online.
By knowing about these resources, Maria can access the support and services she needs to have a healthy pregnancy and care for her baby. We can work together to identify which resources would be most beneficial for her and make a plan for accessing them.
SMART Goals
During the session, we would discuss Maria’s specific health concerns and needs, and I would tailor the information and resources to address those needs.
Collaborating to establish SMART goals can help ensure the education session is tailored to Maria’s needs and goals. Here are some potential SMART goals that we could set together:
- Attend prenatal appointments: Maria can aim to attend all of her prenatal appointments as her healthcare provider recommends. She can schedule the meetings at a time that works best for her and her family’s schedule.
- Take prenatal vitamins: Maria can aim to take her prenatal vitamins daily to ensure that she and her baby are getting the necessary nutrients. She can set a reminder on her phone or leave the vitamins in a visible location to help her remember.
- Seek additional support from community resources: Maria can aim to connect with local organizations that offer support and education for teenage mothers, such as the Teen Parent Program at the local health clinic. She can research these resources and attend any relevant classes or workshops.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Maria can aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet to ensure she and her baby get the necessary nutrients. She can work with a healthcare provider or nutritionist to develop a meal plan that meets her needs.
- Reduce stress: Maria can aim to reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. She can also prioritize self-care activities such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
To evaluate the session outcomes, I would ask Maria to provide feedback on the information and resources provided and ask about any additional concerns or questions she may have. I would also assess whether the goals we set together were achieved and ask Maria to assess her progress.
Suggested Revisions for Future Sessions Based on Feedback
Based on this feedback, I suggest possible revisions for future sessions, such as providing additional information on stress management techniques or exploring other community resources that may be helpful for Maria. Additionally, I would work with Maria to identify any barriers or challenges preventing her from achieving her goals and explore strategies for addressing those challenges.
Overall, the goal of the educational session would be to provide Maria with the knowledge, skills, and resources she needs to manage her pregnancy successfully and improve her health outcomes. By working collaboratively and tailoring the session to Maria’s individual needs and goals, we can increase the effectiveness of the health promotion plan and support Maria in achieving optimal health and well-being.
Recommendations for the Session Plan
Which aspects of the session plan need to change?
The session plan seems to lack information about the specific contraception methods available to Maria, despite her being sexually active. The program does not address the potential risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the importance of safe sex practices. Therefore, the session plan must be revised to include a discussion about contraception and STI prevention.
How might those changes improve future outcomes? Addressing contraception and STI prevention will improve future developments by providing Maria with the knowledge and resources necessary to protect her sexual and reproductive health. It can prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the risk of STI transmission, leading to better overall health outcomes for Maria and her child.
The educational session plan aligns with several Healthy People 2030 objectives:
- Evaluate educational session plan outcomes regarding the progress made toward Healthy People 2030 objectives and leading health indicators. The academic session plan aligns with several Healthy People 2030 objectives, including reducing teenage pregnancy rates, improving access to prenatal care, and increasing contraception among sexually active adolescents (Healthy People, 2021). The session plan also addresses several leading health indicators, including maternal and infant health and sexually transmitted infections.
How can the session plan be improved to align with Healthy People 2030 objectives and leading health indicators?
To better align with these objectives and indicators, the session plan should be updated to include a conversation about preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception (Healthy People 2030, 2021). This discussion can include information about the various types of contraception methods available, their effectiveness, and the importance of using condoms to prevent STIs. Additionally, the session plan can discuss the importance of regular STI testing and treatment. By addressing these topics, the session plan can improve alignment with Healthy People 2030 objectives and leading health indicators related to sexual and reproductive health.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Teen Pregnancy. Web.
Healthy People 2030. (2021). Adolescent Health. Web.
Nkhoma, D. E., Lin, C. P., Katengeza, H. L., Soko, C. J., Estinfort, W., Wang, Y. C., & Iqbal, U. (2020). Girls’ empowerment and adolescent pregnancy: A systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(5), 1664. Web.
Singla, D. R., Waqas, A., Hamdani, S. U., Suleman, N., Zafar, S. W., Saeed, K., & Rahman, A. (2020). Implementation and effectiveness of adolescent life skills programs in low-and middle-income countries: A critical review and meta-analysis. Behaviour research and therapy, 130, 103402. Web.