Abstract
IntroductionPreconception care recognizes that many adolescent girls and young women will be thrust into motherhood without the knowledge, skills or support they need. Sixty million adolescents give birth each year worldwide, even though pregnancy in adolescence has mortality rates at least twice as high as pregnancy in women aged 20-29 years. Reproductive planning and contraceptive use can prevent unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually-transmitted infections in adolescent girls and women. Smaller families also mean better nutrition and development opportunities, yet 222 million couples continue to lack access to modern contraception.MethodA systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence was conducted to ascertain the possible impact of preconception care for adolescents, women and couples of reproductive age on MNCH outcomes. A comprehensive strategy was used to search electronic reference libraries, and both observational and clinical controlled trials were included. Cross-referencing and a separate search strategy for each preconception risk and intervention ensured wider study capture.ResultsComprehensive interventions can prevent first pregnancy in adolescence by 15% and repeat adolescent pregnancy by 37%. Such interventions should address underlying social and community factors, include sexual and reproductive health services, contraceptive provision; personal development programs and emphasizes completion of education. Appropriate birth spacing (18-24 months from birth to next pregnancy compared to short intervals <6 months) can significantly lower maternal mortality, preterm births, stillbirths, low birth weight and early neonatal deaths.ConclusionImproving adolescent health and preventing adolescent pregnancy; and promotion of birth spacing through increasing correct and consistent use of effective contraception are fundamental to preconception care. Promoting reproductive planning on a wider scale is closely interlinked with the reliable provision of effective contraception, however, innovative strategies will need to be devised, or existing strategies such as community-based health workers and peer educators may be expanded, to encourage girls and women to plan their families.
Highlights
Preconception care recognizes that many adolescent girls and young women will be thrust into motherhood without the knowledge, skills or support they need
Improving adolescent health and preventing adolescent pregnancy; and promotion of birth spacing through increasing correct and consistent use of effective contraception are fundamental to preconception care
Millions of women and children, and future generations can benefit if we invest in preconception care to improve adolescent health and encourage reproductive planning This paper presents the findings of a systematic review that was undertaken to consolidate the evidence for risks and interventions relating adolescent health and reproductive planning during preconception period
Summary
Preconception care recognizes that many adolescent girls and young women will be thrust into motherhood without the knowledge, skills or support they need. Preconception care recognizes that many adolescent girls and young women will be thrust into motherhood without the knowledge, skills or support they need; and that by promoting health and providing preventive care, we are investing in better outcomes for them and their children. Adolescent girls are two to five times more likely to die from pregnancyrelated causes than women age 20-29 years [4] In many contexts, their situation is further complicated by a number of factors including poverty, lack of education, restricted access to care, weak health systems that are not sensitive to their needs, abuse, unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, and the absence of autonomy or support in their social arrangement. Adolescent girls completing secondary education are less likely to marry early or get pregnant, and those who do become pregnant are more likely to have well-nourished babies who survive the neonatal period [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
