OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of adolescent pregnancies and to ascertain the effects of this condition on the maternal and infant outcomes. METHODS: The study was carried out on 100 adolescent mothers less than 20 years of age and on a same number of adult mothers between 22 and 32 years of age and their infants. A socio-demographic attributes questionnaire form, a pregnancy follow-up and birth history form, and a mother and infant follow-up form were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the adolescent mothers was 17.8 ± 0.7 years and that of the adult mothers was 26 ± 0.3 years. Income level of 83% of the families of adolescent mothers and 69% of the families of adult mothers was below the poverty line (p < 0.05). Dropout rate (i.e. rate of those not attending any school) was 36% in the adolescent group and 21% in the adult group. Rate of exclusively breastfeeding during the first 2 months was 40% in adolescents and 62% in adults (p < 0.01). Higher rates of adolescent mothers felt themselves inadequate infant care and with 7% of them experiencing problems in accessing a healthcare institution. CONCLUSIONS: Properly following up adolescent pregnancies during prenatal and postnatal periods may be helpful for preventing the negative impacts on mother and infant health.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of adolescent pregnancies and to ascertain the effects of this condition on the maternal and infant outcomes. METHODS: The study was carried out on 100 adolescent mothers less than 20 years of age and on a same number of adult mothers between 22 and 32 years of age and their infants. A socio-demographic attributes questionnaire form, a pregnancy follow-up and birth history form, and a mother and infant follow-up form were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the adolescent mothers was 17.8 ± 0.7 years and that of the adult mothers was 26 ± 0.3 years. Income level of 83% of the families of adolescent mothers and 69% of the families of adult mothers was below the poverty line (p < 0.05). Dropout rate (i.e. rate of those not attending any school) was 36% in the adolescent group and 21% in the adult group. Rate of exclusively breastfeeding during the first 2 months was 40% in adolescents and 62% in adults (p < 0.01). Higher rates of adolescent mothers felt themselves inadequate infant care and with 7% of them experiencing problems in accessing a healthcare institution. CONCLUSIONS: Properly following up adolescent pregnancies during prenatal and postnatal periods may be helpful for preventing the negative impacts on mother and infant health.
Authors: Lydia Kabwijamu; Peter Waiswa; Vincent Kawooya; Christine K Nalwadda; Monica Okuga; Elizabeth L Nabiwemba Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-11-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Elizabeth A Lundeen; Shane A Norris; Reynaldo Martorell; Parminder S Suchdev; Neil K Mehta; Linda M Richter; Aryeh D Stein Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-25 Impact factor: 3.240