Obstetric outcome of teenage pregnancy in northwestern Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and compare the difference in pregnancy outcome in teenage pregnancies and pregnancy in an older age group.


METHODS
A cross sectional observational study.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gondar College of Medical Sciences (GCMS) Hospital.


METHODS
All teenage pregnant women and older pregnant women who delivered in the hospital over one year period were evaluated.


METHODS
Antenatal care (ANC) attendance, pregnancy induced hypertension, cephalo-pelvic-disproportion (CPD), low birthweight (LBW), prolonged labour, preterm delivery, assisted delivery, stillbirth and low Apgar score.


RESULTS
Mean age of teenagers and older age group was 17.6 +/- 1 and 28.6 +/- 5.7 years, respectively. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the following variables when teenagers were compared to the older age group: ANC attendance 60.9% versus 74.8%; weight less than 50 kg. 40% versus 18.9%; height less than 150 cms 21.2% versus 7.3%; CPD 11.8% versus 2.1%; prolonged labour 9.2% versus 5.6%; delayed second stage 18.3% versus 4.4%; preterm delivery 21.8% versus 11.3%; assisted delivery 21.8% versus 9.3% and LBW 27% versus 10%. No significant difference was observed in the mean Apgar score and stillbirth rate in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse outcome; and teenagers perform poorly in labour and delivery. We recommend the initiation of a programme which should create a means of easily reaching the adolescent to promote family life education, contraception, counselling and education related to early marriage.
Kumbi
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Ethiopia.
Isehak
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires