May 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-1969.ijhs-21-3814
Introduction Adolescence is a critical stage in human development that is characterized by peer pressure, confusion, exuberance and experimentation, particularly with sexual relationships. This is why attention should be paid to adolescents’ reproductive health issues so as to reduce their exposure to aggressive sexual activities which could expose them to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and others. This study aimed at reducing the factors and conditions that influence teenage pregnancy among in-school adolescents in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State. Materials and Methods The study used a cross sectional descriptive study. A randomly selected sample of 416 adolescents between the ages of 13-19 years were studied. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, using frequencies, percentages and means were utilized for data analysis. Results The study found that 198 (47.6%) of the respondents were sexually active and that 89 (45%) of them had been pregnant. More than half 103 (52%) of the study group indicated that peer pressure influenced their sexual activities. About 46(51.7%) of the adolescents said they were pregnant so as to keep the new born baby with motherless babies homes. Conclusion Therefore, there is need for increased sex education for in-school adolescents so as to highlight the effects of teenage pregnancy on adolescents.
Jan 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-16-1292
Objective: A cross-sectional study was designed to collect socio-demographic and obstetric data about female teenagers who have pregnancy and visiting primary health care centers for antenatal care. Subjects and methods: Data were collected by a trained 60 medical students of the 6th level in Hadramout University during their post in primary health care centers from 20 May – 10 June 2008. A convenience sample of 237 teenagers who were attending the 12 PHC centers for antenatal care checking constituted the study subjects. Results: Fifty-one out of 237 (21.5%) pregnant women were of age 17 years or less. Most of them were from rural areas with statistically significant difference in both age groups (p-value <0.002),they were housewives (232/237 97.8%) and their husband’s mostly had non-professional jobs with a significant difference between both age groups (p-value <0.005). A high prevalence of anemia in teenage pregnant women was reported (76.7% of them had Hb level less than 11 g/dl) but there were no significant difference between mean Hb level in those at age of 17 years or less (9.9 SD=1) and those at age >17-<20 years (10.1 SD=1.18) p-value >0.05 About one-third of pregnant teenagers were second or multigravida (81/237 pregnant women 34.2%) but only 66 of them were delivered before. The majority of second/multigravida were delivered normally (57/66 pregnant women 86.4%) while only 31 of them (47%) gets their births in a health facility where LSCS was done for 9 pregnant women. The outcome of the pregnancy in teenage multigravida are 67 children; three of them were stillbirth and other 6 babies died within the first week of their life indicating the total children died during the perinatal period as 9 children ; so the perinatal mortality rate was very high in teenagers (9/67*1000 = 134/1000 births). Conclusions: Teenage pregnancy is common and accepted in Hadramout in Yemen; the main consequences are a high prevalence of anemia and high perinatal mortality rate.
Jan 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-17-1836
Objective: Demographic analysis of intrauterine deaths in North-Eastern Hungary with national and international comparison. Materials and Methods: The authors collected data from the National Bureau of Statistics’ 1996-2014 database to assess frequency, gestational age, maternal age and education for six counties of the region. 722 individual cases were analyzed. A regional survey was initiated to collect more detailed data on living environment in the region between 2010 and 2014 through community midwifery services records. Results: Data over 20 years showed most intrauterine deaths (Perinatal mortality, Late fetal death, Stillbirth] occurred between 24th and 36th weeks of which 35% occurred in the North-Eastern region of Hungary. The causes of intrauterine deaths were placental abruption, cord accident, placental insufficiency, malformations and intrauterine infection. Detailed analysis regarding attendance at either the Obstetricians or the community midwifery services, the patient’s medical history and the patients’ compliance were reported, compliance in 1% completely lacked. Gravidity and multiparity were associated risk factors. A significant proportion was associated with teenage pregnancy, low maternal education, smoking risks, unemployment, dependence on social support, unhygienic environment and smaller accommodations. Lack of cooperation during antenatal care was significant. Conclusion: Frequency and distribution of intrauterine deaths in North-Eastern Hungary show a similar picture as those of socio-economic indices. The unfavorable trend came to an end in 2015, however the national statistics did not show any improvement. The solution to the problem seems to be independent of the service provision, therefore, socio-economic development of affected counties is warranted, and financial incentives and/or government aid provided during pregnancy may improve future perinatal outcomes.