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Dan Lutasingwa,1 Alain Favina,2 Moses Ochora,3 Jean Marie Vianney Rukanikigitero,1 Louange Twahirwa Gutabarwa,1 Aflodis Kagaba,1 Mark Mohan Kaggwa4,5 1Department of Research, Health Development Initiative, Kicukiro District, Kigali City, Rwanda; 2Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 3Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 4Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 5Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Dan Lutasingwa, Email dan@hdirwanda.orgBackground: Parents are the primary caregivers and influential figures in adolescents’ lives. They play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding sexual reproductive health. A vast difference in knowledge between adolescents and their parents indicates failure in knowledge translation and is associated with sexual and reproductive consequences, such as teenage pregnancies.Methods: In this cross-sectional study between December 2020 and December 2021, 834 teenage mothers and their parents/guardians (n = 861) were enrolled from all five provinces of Rwanda. Knowledge of sexual reproductive health (SRH) rights was assessed, and the differences between the understanding of parents and their children were analyzed using Chi-square tests.Results: There were statistically significant differences for all the assessed aspects of SRH knowledge rights between parents and their teenagers (ie, on the age of consent, safe abortion, right to education for teenage mothers, understanding of financial responsibilities, and perceptions of legal consequences).Conclusion: There is a significant knowledge difference between the two generations regarding their understanding of SRH rights. It is recommended that future programming should devise innovative ways that bring together parents and their children to discuss sexual reproductive health rights, which will result in empowered children and teenagers in Rwanda. Also, awareness programs are needed to improve the knowledge gaps regarding SRH in the public by policymakers, NGOs, and educators.&#x00A0Keywords: teenage pregnancies, parents, Rwanda, sexual reproductive health, knowledge, adolescent mothers

Abstract Objective To assess the effects of using an animated local language educational video to counsel postpartum adolescents on the benefits and use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Materials and methods A two-stage, single group, experimental study was conducted. A total of 124 female adolescents aged

Abstract Background We evaluated (a) opinion of Syrian and Turkish healthcare workers (HCWs), and perceptions and attitudes of Syrian refugee mothers, pregnant women, fathers and grandmothers on age-appropriate breastfeeding, (b) the effect of cultural characteristics, migration and pandemics on Syrian’s infant nutrition, and (c) the suggestions of HCWs and Syrian family members to improve breastfeeding practices in the Syrian refugee society in a qualitative study. Methods The qualitative study consisting of structured focus group discussions (FGDs) was held in four provinces in Turkey where Syrian refugees live intensely in September and October 2020. Seven different types of online FGDs were held with Turkish HCWs working in maternity hospitals, Syrian HCWs working in Refugee Health Centers (RHCs), Syrian pregnant women, mothers, fathers, and grandmothers. In total, we carried out 46 FGDs with 335 individuals. Thematic analysis of the transcripts in a deductive-inductive fashion was carried out with MAXQDA 11. Results Most Syrian HCWs did not get any training on breastfeeding counseling. The short duration of breastfeeding in Syrian refugees was seen to be related to the cultural characteristics, and migration. Some cultural characteristics can be summarized as “believing that breastfeeding harms mother’s health”, “adolescent marriages”, “wanting to have as many children as possible”, “giving anise to infants and not breastfeeding at night”, “prelacteal feeding”, “believing that milk is not enough”, “over controlling mother–child interaction by grandmothers, which limits the interaction”, “short pregnancy intervals”, and “not using modern family planning techniques”. We found out that migration increased the tendency for adolescent pregnancies, deepened the poverty, and decreased family social support. We did not observe any change in breastfeeding practices during pandemics. Conclusions Breastfeeding counseling programs should be designed in consideration of cultural characteristics of Syrian HCWs and family members. Continuing health education programs for family members with socially appropriate interventions to prevent adolescent marriages are important.

This mini review explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. We conducted a rapid review of the literature across three databases, with a particular focus on the African continent. Few studies have specifically focused on adolescents in Africa and this paper contributes to this paucity of research. Findings revealed the unintended consequences of the pandemic. Studies across several countries showed that the respective lockdownmeasures restricted adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health services. The literature also showed increases in adolescent pregnancies during the lockdown, along with increases in reports of sexual violence against adolescents. We conclude this paper by offering recommendations to address these unintended consequences and potentially improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health in African communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We evaluated (a) opinion of Syrian and Turkish healthcare workers (HCWs), and perceptions and attitudes of Syrian refugee mothers, pregnant women, fathers and grandmothers on age-appropriate breastfeeding, (b) the effect of cultural characteristics, migration and pandemics on Syrian's infant nutrition, and (c) the suggestions of HCWs and Syrian family members to improve breastfeeding practices in the Syrian refugee society in a qualitative study. Methods: The qualitative study consisting of structured focus group discussions (FGDs) was held in four provinces in Turkey where Syrian refugees live intensely in September and October 2020. Seven different types of online FGDs were held with Turkish HCWs working in maternity hospitals, Syrian HCWs working in Refugee Health Centers (RHCs), Syrian pregnant women, mothers, fathers, and grandmothers. In total, we carried out 46 FGDs with 335 individuals. Thematic analysis of the transcripts in a deductive-inductive fashion was carried out with MAXQDA 11. Results: Most Syrian HCWs did not get any training on breastfeeding counseling. The short duration of breastfeeding in Syrian refugees was seen to be related to the cultural characteristics, and migration. Some cultural characteristics can be summarized as "believing that breastfeeding harms mother's health", "adolescent marriages", "wanting to have as many children as possible", "giving anise to infants and not breastfeeding at night", "prelacteal feeding", "believing that milk is not enough", "over controlling mother–child interaction by grandmothers, which limits the interaction", "short pregnancy intervals", and "not using modern family planning techniques". We found out that migration increased the tendency for adolescent pregnancies, deepened the poverty, and decreased family social support. We did not observe any change in breastfeeding practices during pandemics. Conclusions: Breastfeeding counseling programs should be designed in consideration of cultural characteristics of Syrian HCWs and family members. Continuing health education programs for family members with socially appropriate interventions to prevent adolescent marriages are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rape continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing South Africa, alongside poverty & joblessness that the government is trying hard to eradicate. Transkei region of the Eastern Cape can best be described as deeply rural with bad roads, unclean water supply, limited electricity, few telephone connections, very limited access to transport and health services. Violence including sexual assaults is a common problem in this region. Objective: To highlight the problem of sexual assault, pregnancy, and HIV infection among young girls in Transkei region of South Africa. Case History: This is a retrospective case report from the register of sexual assault at Sinawe Center of Mthatha General Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa. These are reports of two young girls who were repeatedly raped. Histories and findings of the physical examinations are described. Consequences of teenage pregnancies and HIV transmission are discussed. The issue of consent and teenagers' partners' responsibility is highlighted. Solutions to reduce re-victimisation are suggested. Conclusion: There is problem of sexual assaults, pregnancy, and HIV infection among young girls in the Transkei region of South Africa. There is a need to control this epidemic of sexual assaults to prevent HIV spread, and to prevent unwanted pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and compare its obstetric and perinatal outcomes with those of non-teenage pregnancy. Method: This retrospective hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban. The study made use of the Malaysian National Obstetric Registry (NOR) records of teenage pregnant women aged 11–19 at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban over a 12-month period between May 2015 and May 2016 (n=164). Socio-demographic profiles, obstetric outcomes, and perinatal outcomes were detailed for each pregnant woman. The results were compared to a control group of 169 pregnant women aged 20–30 who also delivered in hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban during the same period. The aim of this study was to assess the obstetric outcomes of teenage pregnancy and to compare them with those of the control group. A chi-squared test was used to identify the statistical significance of the relationship between teenage pregnancy rates and obstetric outcomes. Results with p

Abstract Background Adolescent pregnancies are persistently high among refugees. The pregnancies have been attributed to low contraceptive use in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents in northern Uganda. Methods This was a cross sectional study using both descriptive and analytical techniques. The study was carried out in Palabek refugee settlement in Northern Uganda from May to July 2019. A total of 839 refugee adolescents who were sexually active or in-union were consecutively enrolled. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results Modern contraceptive prevalence was 8.7% (95% CI: 7.0 to 10.8). The injectable was the most commonly used modern contraceptive method [42.5% (95% CI: 31.5 to 54.3)], and most of the participants had used the contraceptives for 6 months or less (59.7%). Reasons for not using modern contraceptives included fear of side effects (39.3%), partner prohibition (16.4%), and the desire to become pregnant (7.0%). Participants who were married (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.35, p

Resumen Antecedentes El embarazo en la adolescencia es mayor en mujeres en condición de desplazamiento interno en Colombia, con respecto a las no desplazadas. Dicha condición es definida como un problema con consecuencias significativas desde el punto de vista biomédico y epidemiológico. Sin embargo, es necesario indagar estas experiencias desde las perspectivas de las mujeres que lo han experimentado, específicamente en el contexto del conflicto armado y del desplazamiento. Objetivo Este artículo tiene por objeto comprender cómo interpretan las mujeres en condición de desplazamiento interno sus propias experiencias de embarazo en la adolescencia en el contexto del conflicto armado Colombiano a través de una aproximación etnográfica en una comunidad receptora en Bogotá. Métodos Con base en 10 años de experencia trabajando en la comunidad, realizamos un año de trabajo de campo a través de observación participante, 20 entrevistas a profundidad para reconstruir sus historias de vida y 8 talleres con las mujeres en condición de desplazamiento en un barrio en Ciudad Bolivar, en Bogotá. Realizamos análisis temático de la información para analizar los datos de las mujeres desplazadas y explorar como ellas entendieron sus experiencias de embarazo en la adolescencia tras el contexto del desplazamiento. Resultados Los principales temas que emergieron de las experiencias de las participantes incluyeron la violencia en áreas rurales, su niñez (incluso los significados de embarazo a temprana edad y el enamoramiento), y las diferentes reacciones frente al embarazo (como la estigmatización) por parte de sus familias y sus parejas. Conclusión El embarazo en la adolescencia en mujeres en condición de desplazamiento interno tiene dinamicas complejas e incluye el contexto violento que viven en las areas rurales de donde son originarias, pero principalmente la violencia que vivieron durante su niñez. La experiencia de embarazo durante la adolescencia les genera sentimientos de pertenencia y las anima a sobrellevar las condiciones del desplazamiento. Estos hallazgos pueden ayudar en la construcción de políticas públicas y al personal de salud para trabajar con esta población.

This mini review explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. We conducted a rapid review of the literature across three databases, with a particular focus on the African continent. Few studies have specifically focused on adolescents in Africa and this paper contributes to this paucity of research. Findings revealed the unintended consequences of the pandemic. Studies across several countries showed that the respective lockdown measures restricted adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health services. The literature also showed increases in adolescent pregnancies during the lockdown, along with increases in reports of sexual violence against adolescents. We conclude this paper by offering recommendations to address these unintended consequences and potentially improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health in African communities.

Teen Parent Units (TPUs) provide education and support for high school students who are pregnant or parents in New Zealand. They provide childcare, links to health and other social services, guidance and mentoring. Because this programme is only available in some schools, evaluation is possible using teen mothers and schools in other geographic areas as controls. Using administrative data, this study evaluates the impact of TPUs on school attendance and completion outcomes amongst nearly all teen mothers born between 1991 and 1994 in New Zealand. We find that young women who had access to TPUs were less likely to dropout of school and more likely to complete school qualifications. Among all teen mothers, access to a TPU at or prior to conception significantly increased the probability of school enrolment after giving birth. Among teen mothers enrolled in school post-birth, TPU access substantially increased the probabilities of completing formal high school qualifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teenage pregnancy is a serious public health and social problem which needs to be curbed if a nation is to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. The study aimed at investigating the impact of economic welfare on teenage pregnancy in Pallisa district in Uganda. The main focus was on the economic factors influencing the level of teenage pregnancy and the challenges faced by teenagers and suggest policy recommendations. Secondary and primary data was collected from teenagers and key informants, it was collected using a structured questionnaire. A total of 298 respondents was considered selected randomly in Olok sub-county. Data was coded and analyzed using STATA computer package. A Logit model was used for analysis. The results indicated that variables considered were significant however, out of school was the most statically significant with p-value 0.000, others included income of the parent or guardian with 0,212, access to health with 0.017, and employment with 0.011. On the challenges the results indicated that, 68.2% lack of access to basic needs, poverty 33%, lack of school requirements, 49.4%, financial difficulty, were among the major challenges. The study recommended that, increasing access to health care, increasing incomes of the parents/guardians through employment, government to continue subsidizing education. Areas for further research included the extent to which school drop rates contribute to teenage pregnancy and effect of access to healthcare on the prevention of teenage pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a social problem distributed worldwide, has many significant implications on mother and her baby, specifically, in developing countries. The risk of adolescent pregnancy and outcome remains a public health problem in both developed and undeveloped countries, which leads to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Patients and methods: This is a prospective study that included 200 teenage pregnant mothers who admitted to normal labor room for delivery or those who attended to outpatient obstetric clinic at Qena University Hospital "between April 2019 to April 2020". Information about socio- demographic data, medical history, reproductive history, current pregnancy and its complications and delivery and its outcomes are btained. Clinical examinations, Laboratory and postoperative assessment of the mother for pospartum hemorrhage was done, also assessment of newborns for Apgar score after 1 and 5 minutes was done. Then follow up of mothers till the end of perperium and assess breast feeding. Results: The results were analyzed using Chi-square(x2) test. P (predictive) value of

Background: Eclampsia remains a major cause of maternal mortality, particularly in teenage pregnancies. Healthcare professionals providing antenatal must regard teenagers as a high risk group for the pre-eclampsia-eclampsia syndrome. Setting: Data extracted from the South African Saving Mothers Report: 2014–2016. Aim: To establish the clinical details in teenage maternal deaths owing to eclampsia. Method: Retrospective review of the case records and maternal death assessment forms of teenagers that died due to eclampsia during 2014–2016. Results: There were 47 teenagers (aged 14 to 19 years) who died from eclampsia. Of these 18 out of 47 (38%) deaths occurred in the post-partum period. Forty (85.1%) of the patients had antenatal care. Three (6.4%) had post-partum eclampsia, and of the remaining 44 of the 47 (93.6%), the gestational age at first occurrence of a seizure ranged from 25 to 39 weeks. The blood pressures at the time of seizure ranged from systolic of 131 to 210 mmHg and diastolic of 89 to 130 mmHg. The commonest final causes of death were intracerebral haemorrhage associated with severe hypertension and multi-organ failure. Avoidable factors included transport delays, referral to the wrong levels of health care and poor care by health professionals. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is a risk factor for eclampsia-related death; awareness of borderline elevations of blood pressure levels from baseline values (prehypertension levels) and taking following national guidelines on the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy will decrease deaths from eclampsia.

The issue of teenage pregnancies has become a public health problem and is the order of the day in national and international politics. With a theoretical background of two different images of the adolescent pregnancy, and the concepts of autonomy and responsibility, a research was done about the attribution of responsibility for teenage pregnancies in a population of 22 students from a school in Barranquilla, Colombia. The interviews allowed inferring that the majority of young people transfer responsibility to parents and teachers, an issue that calls into question the type of education received by those youngsters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent pregnancies are persistently high among refugees. The pregnancies have been attributed to low contraceptive use in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents in northern Uganda. Methods: This was a cross sectional study using both descriptive and analytical techniques. The study was carried out in Palabek refugee settlement in Northern Uganda from May to July 2019. A total of 839 refugee adolescents who were sexually active or in-union were consecutively enrolled. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results: Modern contraceptive prevalence was 8.7% (95% CI: 7.0 to 10.8). The injectable was the most commonly used modern contraceptive method [42.5% (95% CI: 31.5 to 54.3)], and most of the participants had used the contraceptives for 6 months or less (59.7%). Reasons for not using modern contraceptives included fear of side effects (39.3%), partner prohibition (16.4%), and the desire to become pregnant (7.0%). Participants who were married (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.35, p < 0.001), cohabiting (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.93, p = 0.032) or having an older partner (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.86 to 0.99, p = 0.046) were less likely to use modern contraceptives. Conclusion: Modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents was very low, and few reported a desire to become pregnant, leaving them vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies. Least likely to use modern contraceptives were participants who were married/cohabiting and those having older partners implying a gender power imbalance in fertility decision making. There is an urgent need for innovations to address the gender and power imbalances within relationships, which could shape fertility decision-making and increase modern contraceptive use among refugee adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy in adolescence is higher among internally displaced women in Colombia than non-displaced women. It is defined as a problem with significant negative outcomes by both biomedical and epidemiological approaches. However, little is known about pregnancy during adolescence from the perspective of women who experienced this in the specific context of armed conflict and displacement. Aim: This article focuses on how internally displaced women understand their experiences of pregnancy in adolescence in the context of armed conflict through an ethnographic approach in a receptor community of internally displaced women in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: Based on 10 years of experience in the community, we conducted 1 year of fieldwork, using an ethnographic approach. We collected life stories of 20 internally displaced women through in-depth interviews and ran 8 workshops with them and other women from the community. We used thematic analysis to analyse the responses of internally-displaced women and understand how they made meaning around their experiences of adolescent pregnancy in the context of displacement. Results: The main themes that emerged from participants' experiences include rural violence, early family life (characterized by violence and mistreatment at home), meanings of pregnancy at an early age (including being challenged and feelings of love), and reactions to their pregnancies during adolescence (such as stigmatization) from their families and partners. Conclusion: Our analysis of the in-depth interviews and the workshops suggests that adolescent pregnancy among women who are internally displaced has complex dynamics, characterized by the violent context of the rural areas, but primarily by the violence experienced during their childhood. The experience of pregnancy during adolescence brings feelings of ownership and also challenges, together with the forced displacement. This understanding will provide insights for policy makers and healthcare providers on how to work with this specific population who have experienced pregnancy in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eclampsia remains a major cause of maternal mortality, particularly in teenage pregnancies. Healthcare professionals providing antenatal must regard teenagers as a high risk group for the pre-eclampsia-eclampsia syndrome. Setting: Data extracted from the South African Saving Mothers Report: 2014–2016. Aim: To establish the clinical details in teenage maternal deaths owing to eclampsia. Method: Retrospective review of the case records and maternal death assessment forms of teenagers that died due to eclampsia during 2014–2016. Results: There were 47 teenagers (aged 14 to 19 years) who died from eclampsia. Of these 18 out of 47 (38%) deaths occurred in the post-partum period. Forty (85.1%) of the patients had antenatal care. Three (6.4%) had post-partum eclampsia, and of the remaining 44 of the 47 (93.6%), the gestational age at first occurrence of a seizure ranged from 25 to 39 weeks. The blood pressures at the time of seizure ranged from systolic of 131 to 210 mmHg and diastolic of 89 to 130 mmHg. The commonest final causes of death were intracerebral haemorrhage associated with severe hypertension and multi-organ failure. Avoidable factors included transport delays, referral to the wrong levels of health care and poor care by health professionals. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is a risk factor for eclampsia-related death; awareness of borderline elevations of blood pressure levels from baseline values (prehypertension levels) and taking following national guidelines on the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy will decrease deaths from eclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acciones e Investigaciones Sociales is the property of Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y del Trabajo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adolescent girls are at the center of many health development interventions. Based on ethnographic research in rural Malawi, I analyze the design, implementation, and reception of an international non-government organization's project aiming to reduce teenage pregnancies by keeping girls in school. Drawing on Fassin's theorization of culturalism as ideology, I analyze how a tendency to overemphasize culture is inherent to the project's behavior change approach, but is reinforced locally by class-shaped notions of development, and plays out through reinforcing ethnic stereotypes. I argue that culturalism builds upon previous health development initiatives that dichotomized modernity and tradition, and is strengthened by short-term donor funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As intermediaries between donors and beneficiaries 'local development brokers' play a crucial role in shaping the implementation of development initiatives. They tie together different interests through acts of translation and organise development interfaces, but also pursue their own ambitions. This article examines junior public servants in Malawi's primary education sector, who as a result of shifting aid modalities and priorities, have become development brokers in the implementation of multiple non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects. Studying their various 'broker' roles provides an analytical lens through which to examine the active co-construction of development initiatives, and how brokering affects their position and the school as a public institution. The analysis is based on ethnographic fieldwork at an under-resourced primary school in Mangochi district and on the implementation of norm-promoting projects aiming to keep girls in school and reduce teenage pregnancies. This article describes how brokers facilitate NGO activities, translate global norms into messages that resonate locally, and strategically present successes in line with project discourses. This article argues that these strategies are intended to sustain the projects to benefit the school, the students and to supplement low salaries, thereby prioritising short-term benefits over the quality of education. Donors' and INGOs' well-intentioned efforts to strengthen country systems, might result in undermining broader educational goals if these attempts come in the form of multiple small-scale NGO projects. These critical reflections do not travel up the aid chain, as brokers are incentivised to produce successes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Nursing / Pielegniarstwo Polskie is the property of Poznan University of Medical Sciences Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Teenage pregnancy, which is detrimental to the health of mother and child, is a common public health problem worldwide. It is a problem that affects nearly every society- developed and developing alike. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its impact on birth outcome. The cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of Dhankuta municipality where 246 households were taken as subjects. Chi-square test was applied to find out the significant difference between socio demographic characteristics and outcome variable i.e. birth outcome & age of 1st pregnancy. About 34.6% of respondents were pregnant at below 20 years of age. The teenage pregnancies decreases as education level increases (p

Objective: Describe the part that teenage pregnancy plays in overall pregnancies in French Guiana.Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study of the medical records of 25,343 women who delivered in French Guiana from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2012. The study displays and compares several indicators of follow-up visits, pregnancy-linked disorders, delivery and birth outcomes between the years and between minors and adult women.Results: The proportion of teenage pregnancies was 6.8%; it decreased significantly from 7.2% in 2009 to 6.1% in 2012 (p=0.01). The number of antenatal visits was <7 and the visits were mainly provided by the Mother and Child Health ("Protection Maternelle et Infantile", PMI) services (38.6%). The mean (±SD) gestational age at first antenatal visit was 14.1±6.5 weeks. In comparison with adult pregnancies, teenage pregnancies were more frequently concerned with preterm labour (4.6% vs. 2%; p<0.01) but less concerned with gestational diabetes (0% vs. 2.2%; p<0.05) or pregnancy-induced hypertension (2.2% vs. 4.2%; p<0.05).Conclusion: Teenage pregnancies are still frequent in French Guiana, especially in the Eastern and Western communes, where first visits are often delayed by mothers who are minors and take place in PMI services, which offer less clinical, and paraclinical examinations than other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teen pregnancy in the United States has become a pressing public health concern with increasing rates surpassing other developed countries such as Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. Policies must be developed in the U.S. to lower these rates and related health issues. Factors influencing teenage pregnancy include income, education, social support networks, and environment. These factors are significant and should be considered when developing a successful policy. Addressing these issues among expectant mothers and in prenatal classes should include discussions of societal inequities and available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2014, an international congress on Promoting Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) took place in Cuenca, Ecuador. Its objective was to share evidence on effective ASRH intervention projects and programs in Latin America, and to link this evidence to ASRH policy and program development. Over 800 people participated in the three-day event and sixty-six presentations were presented. This paper summarizes the key points of the Congress and of the Community Embedded Reproductive Health Care for Adolescents (CERCA) project. It aims at guiding future ASRH research and policy in Latin America. 1. Context matters. Individual behaviors are strongly influenced by the social context in which they occur, through determinants at the individual, relational, family, community and societal levels. Gender norms/attitudes and ease of communication are two key determinants. 2. Innovative action. There is limited and patchy evidence of effective approaches to reach adolescents with the health interventions they need at scale. Yet, there exist several promising and innovative examples of providing comprehensive sexuality education through conventional approaches and using new media, improving access to health services, and reaching adolescents as well as families and community members using community-based interventions were presented at the Congress. 3. Better measurement. Evaluation designs and indicators chosen to measure the effect and impact of interventions are not always sensitive to subtle and incremental changes. This can create a gap between measured effectiveness and the impact perceived by the targeted populations. Thus, one conclusion is that we need more evidence to better determine the factors impeding progress in ASRH in Latin American, to innovate and respond flexibly to changing social dynamics and cultural practices, and to better measure the impact of existing intervention strategies. Yet, this Congress offered a starting point from which to build a multi-agency and multi-country effort to generate specific evidence on ASRH with the aim of guiding policy and program decision-making. In a region that contains substantial barriers of access to ASRH education and services, and some of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world, the participants agreed that there is no time to lose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2014, an international congress on Promoting Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) took place in Cuenca, Ecuador. Its objective was to share evidence on effective ASRH intervention projects and programs in Latin America, and to link this evidence to ASRH policy and program development. Over 800 people participated in the three-day event and sixty-six presentations were presented. This paper summarizes the key points of the Congress and of the Community Embedded Reproductive Health Care for Adolescents (CERCA) project. It aims at guiding future ASRH research and policy in Latin America. 1. Context matters. Individual behaviors are strongly influenced by the social context in which they occur, through determinants at the individual, relational, family, community and societal levels. Gender norms/attitudes and ease of communication are two key determinants. 2. Innovative action. There is limited and patchy evidence of effective approaches to reach adolescents with the health interventions they need at scale. Yet, there exist several promising and innovative examples of providing comprehensive sexuality education through conventional approaches and using new media, improving access to health services, and reaching adolescents as well as families and community members using community-based interventions were presented at the Congress. 3. Better measurement. Evaluation designs and indicators chosen to measure the effect and impact of interventions are not always sensitive to subtle and incremental changes. This can create a gap between measured effectiveness and the impact perceived by the targeted populations. Thus, one conclusion is that we need more evidence to better determine the factors impeding progress in ASRH in Latin American, to innovate and respond flexibly to changing social dynamics and cultural practices, and to better measure the impact of existing intervention strategies. Yet, this Congress offered a starting point from which to build a multi-agency and multi-country effort to generate specific evidence on ASRH with the aim of guiding policy and program decision-making. In a region that contains substantial barriers of access to ASRH education and services, and some of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world, the participants agreed that there is no time to lose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Even though teenage pregnancy rates have been declining in the last decades, their global prevalence is still high and shows country-specific discrepancies. Insufficient sexual education, poor availability of contraceptives and early marriage are some of the multifactorial causes for adolescent pregnancies. Very often teenage pregnancies are classified as high-risk pregnancies. Studies have found higher rates of peripartal complications, such as preterm birth, low birth weight or low fetal Apgar-Scores. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in Austria and to identify principal differences in maternal and neonatal outcome. Material and methods Data were collected from the Austrian Birth Registry between 01/2012 and 12/2020. A total of 751661 deliveries in Austria were documented. Obstetric, maternal and neonatal parameters were descriptively analyzed. Mothers were subclassified into two age groups: teenage mothers of 19 years and younger and adult mothers of 20 to 39 years of age. Results Newborns of teenage mothers were significantly smaller (49.98 ± 3.11 vs. 50.31 ± 3.16 cm, p < 0.001) and had a lower birth weight (3216 ± 564 vs. 3247 ± 576 g, p < 0.001) than newborns of adult mothers. The percentage of caesarean deliveries in the teenage group was significantly lower than in adult mothers (21.1 vs. 31.8%, p < 0.001). Newborns of teenage mothers had significantly higher rates of very low (< 4) and low (< 7) 5-minute Apgar scores (5-minute Apgar < 4: 0.75 vs. 0.54%, p = 0.004) (5-minute Apgar < 7: 1.77 vs. 1.37%, p = 0.001) and significantly lower arterial umbilical-cord pH (7.25 ± 0.08 vs. 7.26 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). Perinatal mortality was higher in the age group below 20 years (0.7 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.043). Conclusion The data of this study show significantly poorer outcomes in pregnancies of teenagers compared to adult women, even though the healthcare system in Austria is considered excellent. Future guideline recommendations should focus on important aspects of obstetric care in teenage mothers., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Patrick Stelzl hat eine werksvertraglich geregelte Tätigkeit als Berater und Referent und ist Mitglied des Steuerungskomitees im Rahmen des LION-(„Labour Induction Outcomes Network“-)Projekts für Angusta 25 µg Tabletten von Norgine Pharma GmbH. Die weiteren Autoren erklären, dass keine Interessenkonflikte bestehen., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Teenage pregnancy rates in the UK are high compared with many other countries but there is marked variation across local areas, including those with high deprivation. This study uses the method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis to identify conditions associated with the presence or absence of a narrowing gap in teenage pregnancy rates as measured by the differences between deprived local authority areas and the national average. A higher proportion of black and minority ethnic groups in the local population is found to be a sufficient although not necessary condition for narrowing to have occurred. Surprisingly, a good assessment of commissioning practice – combined with other conditions – was associated with areas where the gap has not been narrowing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: We looked at early pregnancy and parenthood as an opportunity to broaden our understanding of the reproductive health education needs met by adolescent girls. Methods: We conducted an in-depth interview study with 12 adolescent mothers. Results: To become a mother at a young age was perceived as meaningful to all the participants. The participants expressed a need to be addressed as adult parents, who want the best for their child. A variety of psychosocial and health needs emerged over a time span ranging from starting to be sexually active to after the child was born. Social isolation was found to be an important factor of vulnerability. Conclusion: The health needs of adolescent mothers extend well beyond counselling around the decision to continue or terminate pregnancy, and subsequent information on contraception methods to avoid further pregnancies. Adolescent mothers need to be supported in their transition to parenthood, and special care should be provided to girls who are socially isolated. Practice implications: We identified several avenues for health education and counselling to adolescent mothers, from primary prevention to reduce incidence of early pregnancies to tertiary prevention to reduce negative health outcomes for both mother and child. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the research was to develop a model for midwives to facilitate the process of promoting a calm home environment, suitable for supporting pregnant teenagers. The design accepted for developing the model was theory generative, qualitative, explorative, descriptive, phenomenological and contextual. Data were collected from ten selected pregnant teenagers who were at least 24 weeks pregnant and who resided within the two selected townships in Port Elizabeth. The other participants were ten biological parents and ten grandparents of these pregnant teenagers, all of whom lived in the same houses as the teenagers. Data were collected by using an audio-tape recorder and taking field notes. The interviews with the parents and grandparents were conducted in their homes, and the interviews with the pregnant teenagers were conducted in secluded rooms at the antenatal care clinics. The research findings revealed that conflict had destabilised some families, resulting in providing limited family support to the pregnant teenagers. However, the grandparents acknowledged the need to discuss the issues at stake and to solve the problem. The results indicated that pregnant teenagers were deprived of the necessary family support during their pregnancies. A model for facilitating intergenerational conflict, as a strategy to assist the family to offer support to the pregnant teenagers, has been developed and applied with some potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To quantify the age related risk of adverse obstetric outcome in primigravid women less than 20 years of age. Study design: The study sample was drawn from Cardiff Births Survey (a computerized maternity information database) comprising 66,271 pregnancies in the South Glamorgan region during 1990–1999. Pregnancy outcomes of primigravid women were compared in age groups less than 20 years (n =4126) and 20 to <35 years (n =17,615). SPSS version 11 was used for statistical analysis. Student''s t-test was used for continuous variables, Chi square, Fishers exact test was used for categorical variables. Results: There was a lower incidence of multiple pregnancies (OR=0.3(0.2–0.4)), spontaneous rupture of membranes >24h (OR=0.7(0.6–0.9)), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR=0.8(0.6–0.8)) amongst teenage primigravidae but a higher incidence of anaemia (OR=1.8(1.6–2.0)), and pyelonephritis (OR=1.5(1.1–2.0)). There was a lower incidence of induction of labour (OR=0.7(0.7–0.8)) and use of regional analgesia in the teenage group. Teenage women were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal delivery (OR=2.1(2.0–2.3)) with a significantly lower incidence of instrumental delivery (OR=0.5(0.5–0.6)), and Caesarean section (OR=0.4(0.4–0.5)). Inspite of a higher incidence of preterm labour (corrected OR=1.4(1.1–1.7)) the perinatal outcome measures between the teenage group and the older group were not significantly different. Conclusion: Teenage primigravidae are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal delivery, without compromising the maternal or neonatal outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest levels of teenage pregnancies in the world. In spite of that, there is paucity of empirical research on causes of teenage pregnancies in African countries. This paper investigates the determinants of teenage pregnancies based on a case study of Busia District in Kenya. The data are from a household survey conducted in 1998/1999. Empirical results indicate that girls’ education level has significant influence on the probability of teenage birth, with non-schooling adolescents and those with primary school level education being more vulnerable. Among the variables used as proxies for access to sex education, availability of church forums that educate adolescents about sex and family life issues reduce probability of teenage pregnancy. Age is positively related to teenage pregnancies, with older adolescents being more predisposed to pregnancies. Though use of contraceptives is found to have a positive effect, only a small proportion of adolescents were using modern contraceptives and, supply side factors such as quality and availability were not accounted for. Other key factors as outlined by the adolescents themselves include peer pressure and social environment-related factors like inappropriate forms of recreation, which act as rendezvous for pre-marital sex, as well as lack of parental guidance and counselling. Overall, lack of access to education opportunities, sex education and information regarding contraceptives, as well the widespread poverty predispose girls to teenage pregnancies. The problem of teenage pregnancies should be viewed within the broader socio-economic and socio-cultural environment in which the adolescents operate. For instance, lack of parental guidance on issues of sexuality and sex education was reinforced by cultural taboos that inhibit such discussions. Adolescents should be equipped with the relevant knowledge to enable them make informed choices regarding sexual relationships. This should be complemented with broader programmes aimed at promoting girl education and poverty alleviation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: One of the targets of national health programs is to prevent unintended pregnancies, especially among teenagers. It is well established that these often lead to abortion. Preventive programs aimed at decreasing abortion rates should identify target groups at risk for unintended pregnancies. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine whether young mothers under 20 years of age constitute a group at risk for new unintended pregnancies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study comprising teenagers giving birth to their first child from 1996 to 2000 was performed at Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. Data were collected from antenatal and medical records with particular regard to compliance with the postpartum visit and to whether a contraceptive method was prescribed. Information concerning repeat pregnancies during the 12 months after delivery was obtained. Results: A total of 250 deliveries were recorded; 70% of the mothers attended the postpartum visit, and 71% received contraceptive prescriptions. At the 12-month follow-up, 56 (25%) had a new pregnancy, and of those, 20 (36%) had a legal abortion, making the abortion rate fivefold higher than expected in this age group. Conclusion: This study shows that teenagers giving birth constitute a high-risk group for future unintended pregnancies and legal abortion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective : To evaluate and characterize the racial/ethnic differences in obstetric outcomes of early and late teenagers in California. Methods : A data-set linking birth and death certificates with maternal and neonatal hospital discharge records in California was utilized to identify nulliparous women (11 to 29 years of age) who delivered between January 1,1992 and December 31,1997. Pregnancy outcomes of early (11-15 year) and late (16-19 year) teenagers were compared to those of a control group of women aged 20-29. Results : Early ( n  = 31 232) and late teens ( n  = 271 470) demonstrated greater neonatal and infant mortality and major neonatal morbidities (delivery < 37 weeks of gestation and birthweight < 2500 g) when compared to pregnancies in the older control women ( n  = 662 752). Ethnicity adversely affected outcome with African-Americans of all ages having worse outcomes than whites. The higher rate of adverse obstetric outcomes among the teenage pregnancies occurred despite a lower cesarean section rate and was consistent across all ethnic groups. Conclusions : When compared to women aged 20-29, all teen pregnancies were associated with higher rates of poor obstetric outcomes. Other factors besides teen pregnancy appear to be responsible for poor outcomes in certain ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated influences on fertility control and early parenthood among teenage learners from a rural district in Zimbabwe. Data on perceived influences on risks for early parenthood were collected from 1320 female secondary school learners (mean age = 16 years, SD = 1.35) using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively. Teenagers believed to be at risk for early parenthood from early sexual debut, material poverty and peer influences to engage in sexual relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Young mothers' children face higher infant mortality than their later-born siblings. • The effect sizes are 48–81 % when comparing maternal ages 15−49 to ages 10−14 years. • In poor households, survival effects extend up to the fifth birthday. • In post-infancy, socio-economic factors compensate for biological disadvantage. • Adolescent pregnancies lead annually to estimated 18,700 under-5 deaths in Bangladesh. This paper examines the adverse effects of adolescent childbearing on early childhood mortality in Bangladesh in mother-fixed-effects regressions using individual mortality outcomes of 300,000 children. Children born to young mothers (child brides in Bangladesh) suffer from higher mortality in the first year of life than their siblings born later. The survival chances of children born to mothers aged 15−49 years are 48–81 % higher in infant period as compared to their siblings born in mother's early adolescence (10−14 years). In poor households, these survival effects extend up to the fifth birthday, especially in the poorest households or among uneducated mothers. This evidence points towards a biological channel, probably low birth weight, as the main contributing factor in the first year of life. In the post-infant period, favorable socio-economic factors (wealth, education) seem to compensate the biological disadvantage of adolescent births. Adolescent pregnancies lead annually to estimated 18,700 under-5 deaths in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]