Adolescent pregnancy or teen pregnancy is a global problem and one which its trend has refused to reduce despite the growing awareness regarding its consequences, hence posing a major challenge in the field of reproductive health. The gross effect is on the individual, the family, and the society. . Menstruation usually occur around the age of 12 or 13, after which a female becomes potentially fertile. But being fertile is not synonymous to being ready for child birth. Pregnancy before 20yrs of age is what is regarded as teen pregnancy. At this age, the teenagers are vulnerable to a lot of health challenges compared to an adult.
A lot of sociocultural and economical factors determine the variation in rate of occurrence of teenage pregnancy, from one country to another. Industrialized and developing countries have different rates of occurrence. Teenage pregnancy occurs more in the unmarried in industrialized countries while those from the developing countries are often married,due to early marriages. A report by "Save the children" found that annually,13 million children are born to women under the age of 20yrs. In some Sub–Saharan African countries, the rate could be as high as 143 per 1000.
In developing countries, teenage pregnancies are associated with many social and economical issues, including lower educational levels and high rate of poverty. In some societies,early marriage and traditional gender role play an important role in rate of occurrence of teenage pregnancy. So also,the lack of education on safe sex practices and contraception, alcohol and drug abuse,peer pressure, childhood environment,media influences, sexual abuse and dating violence. Most men experience sexual intercourse before they are 20years.It is earlier in developed countries than the developing countries,due to peer pressure. Women exposed to abuse,domestic violence, and family strife or suffer neglect from parents in chilhood are more likely to become pregnant in teenage years; the same can be said for boys raised in homes with battered mothers.
The impact of this can't be overemphasized. Medically the risk of premature birth and low birth weight is higher among adolescent mothers. Many pregnant teens are subjected to nutritional deficiency from poor eating habits.There is also increased risk of HIV and STIs among them. It is estimated that the risk of death following teenage pregnancy is twice as high in women between 15 - 19yrs than those between the ages of 20 to 24yrs. A small pelvis is associated with malnutrition commonly seen in underdeveloped economies. In teens,this can lead to difficulties in chilbirth which is associated an increased incidence of caesarean section. Other risks, especially in developing countries, include increased rate of abortion and its complications, eclampsia, obsteric fistulas e.g VVF, infant mortality or maternal death e.t.c.
Teen mothers are more likely to become a school drop-out which inturn affects the individual finances and social class,especially in countries where there are no welfare support. Families tend to neglect them. These mothers often lack the intellectual or emotional maturity that is needed to provide for another. Often, these pregnancies are hidden for months,resulting in lack of adequate prenatal care;this leads most times to obsteric complications, depression, psychosis.
The child,if giving birth to, may have developmental problems, disabilities or behavioural disorder.
This can be prevented if emphasis is placed on sex education,contraception- the right and correct way to use them,girl-child educarion,addressing the level of poverty without forgeting the importance of abstinence.
