Setting
This Australian-based study took place at an inner-city,
tertiary maternity hospital and its associated communitybased
clinic. The hospital conducts approximately 5000
births for publicly-insured women annually. Women aged
17 years or less account for around 80 births (2%) per
annum. The Young Mother’s Partnership Program is an
alliance between hospital staff (clinicians and allied health)
and a local non-government organisation (NGO) that specialises
in supporting pregnant and parenting young
women and their families. The NGO provides a community
clinic venue with peer support workers who provide
assistance with identified needs including housing, income
support, health and legal issues, and facilitates access to
education and training. Two models of maternity care operate
within this setting: MGP for young women (YMGP)
and Young Women’s Clinic (YWC); both provide care to
women aged 20 years or less. All young women see an
obstetrician routinel