OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify social and familial characteristics in the pregnant adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 74 pregnant adolescents referred to the Mexican Institute of Social Security's (IMSS) Vicente Guerrero Regional General Hospital High-Risk Module in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico from September to November, 2003. An opinion-descriptive questionnaire was formulated by a Committee of Experts and was applied to pregnant adolescents. Variables studied included personal data, obstetrics, and family characteristics. RESULTS: With regard to personal characteristics, average participant age was 17 years, 21 (28%) participants had a high-school academic level, 66 (89%) entertained an interest in continuing their academic studies, 49 (66%) were married, 66 (89%)were homemakers, 35 (47%) mentioned that the reason they got pregnant was to get married, while (36%) got married to leave their original home situation, 54 (73%) accepted the pregnancy, and 71 (96%) of participants reported feelings of responsibility with regard to caring for their infants. Obstetrical characteristics included sexual activity beginning at an average age of 15 years, 63 (85%) of participants' mothers had a pregnancy during adolescence, and 63 (85%) received information on contraceptives but 51 (69%) did not use these. Family characteristics showed 48 cases (65%) had parents who were married, 58 (62%) of participants lived with their spouses' family, 26 (35%) reported more confidence with their mothers, and 68 (92%) had support from their spouse during the pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to develop and organize a strategy to improve integral care for pregnant adolescents individually, in the family, and socially that includes active participation in the health education process, needs identification, and deciding on the best choices.
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify social and familial characteristics in the pregnant adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 74 pregnant adolescents referred to the Mexican Institute of Social Security's (IMSS) Vicente Guerrero Regional General Hospital High-Risk Module in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico from September to November, 2003. An opinion-descriptive questionnaire was formulated by a Committee of Experts and was applied to pregnant adolescents. Variables studied included personal data, obstetrics, and family characteristics. RESULTS: With regard to personal characteristics, average participant age was 17 years, 21 (28%) participants had a high-school academic level, 66 (89%) entertained an interest in continuing their academic studies, 49 (66%) were married, 66 (89%)were homemakers, 35 (47%) mentioned that the reason they got pregnant was to get married, while (36%) got married to leave their original home situation, 54 (73%) accepted the pregnancy, and 71 (96%) of participants reported feelings of responsibility with regard to caring for their infants. Obstetrical characteristics included sexual activity beginning at an average age of 15 years, 63 (85%) of participants' mothers had a pregnancy during adolescence, and 63 (85%) received information on contraceptives but 51 (69%) did not use these. Family characteristics showed 48 cases (65%) had parents who were married, 58 (62%) of participants lived with their spouses' family, 26 (35%) reported more confidence with their mothers, and 68 (92%) had support from their spouse during the pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to develop and organize a strategy to improve integral care for pregnant adolescents individually, in the family, and socially that includes active participation in the health education process, needs identification, and deciding on the best choices.
Authors: Reyna Sámano; Hugo Martínez-Rojano; David Robichaux; Ana Lilia Rodríguez-Ventura; Bernarda Sánchez-Jiménez; Maria de la Luz Hoyuela; Estela Godínez; Selene Segovia Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2017-11-16 Impact factor: 3.007