Adolescent and adult primiparous information needs and concerns regarding infant care.

Traditionally postpartum infant care classes have been structured to meet the educational needs of the adult mother. Due to the increasing number of pregnant adolescents, the educational needs of the adolescent mother must be assessed. With this information postpartum infant care classes can then be structured to effectively assist the adolescent to assume her role of mother. The goal of this descriptive study was to identify and compare infant care questions and concerns of adult and adolescent primiparous women. Data obtained through questionnaires were analyzed in terms of the number and importance of infant care questions and concerns of the subject. The comparing of demographic data revealed that more differences exist between the two groups than those solely based on age. The first hypothesis, adolescent primiparous women would choose a significantly different number of questions and concerns' concerning infant care than adult primiparous women was statistically supported. The adult mothers asked more questions than adolescent mothers, but the reason for the significant difference has not been uncovered. Hypothesis II, adolescent primiparous mothers would have significantly different needs and concerns than adult mothers were not statistically supported. The descriptive statistics did show that each group has specific questions and concerns they felt were more important. The results of this study indicated a need for further study. Recommendations were made in the deliverance of Nursing; care to adolescent mothers.