Obstetric Risk and Outcomes of Teenage Pregnancy in a University Teaching Hospital, North-Central, Nigeria

Objectives: Teenage pregnancy has generated much interest in Obstetrics practice due to increasing risk to the baby and the mother. In this regard, this study was done to ascertain its incidence, obstetric risk, and outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed the obstetric data sheets of all teenage pregnancies managed between January 2013 and December 2017 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, North -Central, Nigeria. Results: Teenage deliveries included 43 cases constituting 2.06% of the total 2084 deliveries within the period. The mean age (SD) was 17.88 (±1.77) years. The commonest antenatal complications were malaria (39.5%), anaemia (37.2%), and hypertension in pregnancy (20.9%). The augmentation of labour was done for 16 parturient mothers (37.2%) and 16.3% had the induction of labour. The caesarean section rate was 16.3% and it was mostly related to obstructed labour (47.1%). In addition, episiotomy was done in 11.6% of parturient mothers and 46.5% had perineal tear. There were 37 live births out of which, 6 cases were neonatal admissions and 6 other cases were perinatal deaths. Finally, the perinatal mortality rate among the teenage deliveries was 139.5 per 1000. Conclusions: The incidence of teenage births was 2.06% with associated obstetric risks and adverse pregnancy outcomes necessitating improved obstetric care during pregnancy and delivery.

Preventing Subsequent Teenage Pregnancy: A Multisite Analysis of Goal Orientation and Social Supports

Subsequent teenage births may present various challenges for teenage parents and their children. Evaluation of efforts to prevent subsequent teenage pregnancy and increase use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) have lacked investigation of the mechanisms—particularly, goal orientation and social supports—through which these efforts may be effective. Data were from a multisite evaluation of the Title XX Adolescent Family Life program, which involved 12 demonstration projects comparing enhanced and core services to pregnant and parenting teenagers. Data from 857 female teenagers at baseline and follow-up were used in analyses. Multivariate regression models examined associations between independent variables (study condition and effective project characteristics) and mediators (orientation toward goals and social supports) and between mediators and outcomes (subsequent pregnancy and use of LARC). Structural equation models tested mediation pathways. The program and selected project characteristics significantly predicted decreased coresidence with parents, and support from the child’s father was associated with higher LARC use. However, neither orientation toward goals nor social supports mediated program effects on LARC use or subsequent pregnancy. Programs to prevent subsequent teenage pregnancy may encourage teenagers’ independence from families of origin and should consider promoting supportive relationships with the child’s father.

Novel Service Delivery Approach to Address Reproductive Health Disparities within Immigrant Latino Communities in Geographic Hot Spots: An Implementation Study

Latinx youths continue to have the highest rates of teenage births in the United States and are at increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. A community-based research partnership piloted Families Talking Together, a brief, parent-based sexual risk reduction program using a novel and culturally relevant approach. This mixed-methods study examined the feasibility and acceptability of Spanish-speaking promotoras de salud (that is, community health workers) as implementers of an evidence-based intervention (EBI) to reach underserved immigrant communities. Findings suggest that promotoras are capable of implementing the EBI with positive organizational, client, and implementation outcomes. Furthermore, promotoras hold particular promise for addressing reproductive health disparities as they are indigenous and trusted members of the community who can reach members of marginalized Latino populations.

An Assessment of Adolescent Pregnancy and Social Risk Factors: Evidence from Agencies and Organizations in the Juvenile Justice System

In the past, it was common for young, single women who became pregnant to get married or give up their children for adoption. During the last half century, however, young women have increasingly more likely to keep their children and to be single parents; the proportion of non-marital teenage births has risen from 13% in the 1950s to 79% in 2000. The research seeks to describe the different organizations that are affected by teenage mothers and attempts to address teenage pregnancy and its implications for organizations/agencies such as: The Board of Education, Legislation, and Juvenile Justice System. Each one of these agencies is different entities with different functions but is detrimental in the development of teenage mothers and their journey from adolescence to adulthood. This study also aims to contribute to the body of knowledge the need for innovated programs to address the needs of these young mothers and future studies that focus on issues that arouse due to this phenomenon.

Income Inequality and Psychosocial Pathways to Obesity

Almost all health and social problems that have social gradients (more common further down the social ladder) are very much more common in societies with bigger income differences between rich and poor. Obesity is part of a very general picture to do with class, status and inequality that affects longevity, violence, mental health, teenage births, drug abuse and child well-being, among other outcomes. The causal pathways through which obesity might be affected by inequality are discussed in this chapter.