Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy in Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy has emerged as one of the major public health problem in Nepal. The aim of this study was to explore the consequences of teenage pregnancy in Kathmandu Valley.

Methods: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional study was adopted. The population of the study were Teenage and non-teenage (20-25 years) postnatal mothers admitted in Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital (PMWH).Non-probability purposive sampling was used for the selection of mothers. Hundred postnatal mothers were included. Ethical approval was taken from the research committee NINE and from concerned authorities of PMWH, Thapathali. Formal permission was taken from hospital administrator of PMWH for data collection. Thorough out the study precautions were taken to safeguards the rights of the mother. Informed verbal consent was obtained from all the participants. Liberty was given them to discontinue the study at any time if they wished. SPSS version 16 was used and chi-square test value was applied for statistical analysis. P value < 0.005 was considered in statistically significant.

Results: This study showed no association between teenage pregnancy and accessibility and utilization of health services, many of the maternal outcomes studied viz. eclampsia, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, prolonged labor, obstructed labor and post-partum hemorrhage and all of the fetal outcomes viz. preterm birth, low APGAR score and low birth weight (p>0.05). However, this study showed significant association of teenage pregnancy with occupation, educational level of the women, use of contraceptive devices, type of contraceptive devices used, gestational hypertension, anemia and type of delivery (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is less likely to have adverse fetal outcomes while adverse maternal outcomes like anemia and pre-eclampsia are more likely to be faced by them. And, teenage women are more likely to have vaginal delivery with episiotomy.