Abstract
Pregnancy in a teenager is a high risk and complex condition with associated maternal and fetal complications. This is because the teenage mother is still undergoing physical, psychological, emotional, and social development.
The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of teenage pregnant mothers in southern Nigeria and to analyse the difference in outcomes between booked and un-booked women.
This was a 5-year retrospective observational study of 6,964 deliveries conducted at a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria.
The incidence of teenage pregnancy during the period under review was 1.95%. The majority (68.4%) of the teenage mothers had completed secondary education. Pregnancy complications that were common amongst them included; anaemia (41.9%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (14%), preterm delivery(19.4%), low birth weight (21.5%) and still birth (3.2%). The caesarean section and instrumental delivery rates were 0.5% and 5.1%respectively. There was a complication rate of (64.5%) amongst the un-booked teenage mothers. Furthermore, majority of teenage pregnant mothers who developed anaemia (82%), pre-eclampsia (77%) and still birth deliveries (100%) were unbooked teenage mothers.
Teenage pregnancy is a public health problem with diverse consequences, which are more pronounced in those who lack the opportunity to receive skilled care. Creation of awareness, proper contraceptive use, girl child education and quality obstetric care would reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and possible complications.
Keywords: Incidence, pregnancy, teenage pregnancy, adolescent pregnancy, obstetric outcome
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Corresponding Author
Mbereobong Saturday Etuk
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo. Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria