title: Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents attending an obstetric unit in Georgetown, Guyana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Teenage pregnancy continues to be a serious maternal health issue globally. Problems faced by teenage mothers are biological, social, and psychological, and may include sexual coercion and violence. This study sought to explore formally the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant teenagers in Georgetown, Guyana, which has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional, prospective study. After ethical approval had been granted, 50 pregnant girls attending Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were interviewed during a 6-week period. Using a convenience sample approach, the principal investigator used a questionnaire to collect data. This was then analysed using Stata/SE V.9.2 and Microsoft Excel programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As well as overall poor sexual and reproductive health knowledge and high-risk sexual health practices, our study revealed a high rate of rape and sexual coercion among the 50 girls interviewed. Almost a quarter (22%) admitted to having been raped in the past, and 80% stated a lack of power in their sexual relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for more targeted sexual and reproductive health services for teenagers attending GPHC, and for more research into sexual violence among this group of women. The establishment of a screening and referral system for those at risk should begin to address specific issues and optimise health outcomes for the women and their babies.
authors.affiliation: FY2, Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Consultant Obstetrician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KHP Women's Health Academic Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Daghni
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rajasingam
authors.affiliation: Consultant Obstetrician, Obstetrics/Gynaecology Residency Program, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown, Guyana.
authors.forename: Ruth C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Derkenne
authors.affiliation: Consultant Anaesthetist, Department of Anaesthetics, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown, Guyana.
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Senior resident, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obstetrics/Gynaecology Residency Program, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown, Guyana.
authors.forename: Anita A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ramlall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006172:Guyana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006757:Hospital Units; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: counselling; health education; needs assessment; service delivery; sexually transmitted infections; teenagers