The literature review was conducted to identify risk factors associated with teenage
pregnancy and parenthood, including patterns of teenage sexual behaviour, as well as
current knowledge about effective strategies in teenage pregnancy prevention. The
impact of teenage parenthood on parents and children and ways of supporting
pregnant and parenting young women was also explored.
The review relied predominantly on Australian literature in order to reflect local
issues and perspectives. However, the need to consider more recent or extensive
research in some areas required the use of overseas literature, mainly from the US and
the UK. The main themes that emerged from the review are as follows:
Adolescent sexuality and behaviour