Abstract

PIP: Computer printouts of cross tabulations of selected data from the vital records for live births, infant and fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces which took place in Hawaii during 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 were studied in order to describe the characteristics of young parenthood in Hawaii from 1968-1972; identify special at-risk populations during preconception, interconception, pregnancy and parenting; identify children of at-risk mothers; identify trends which may affect the planning, delivery, and evaluation of needed programs and services; and determine the need for and nature of specific, modified, and innovative services to teens and preteens. Findings reported by school districts showed marked differences in pregnancy rates, premature births, and infant deaths. The 3 schools with the highest fetal death and induced abortion ratios had the lowest live birth and pregnancy rates. The 6 with lowest fetal death ratios had the highest live birth and pregnancy rates. The findings enable planning of specific health care delivery and school health programs for school districts with the highest pregnancy, premature birth, and infant death rates. Included among the recommendations are the following: 1) the data presented should be used as a bseline for program and service evaluation; 2) family life education efforts in those schools showing the greatest need should be increased; 3) prenatal care should be made more readily available and acceptable to young mothers in the high priority school district; and 4) support services for single-parent families should be planned to meet the increasing need for such services.