Abstract
Introduction: Teenage pregnancies account for approximately 6.1% of total pregnancies in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the study were to assess obstetric and psychological outcomes and socioeconomic determinants of teenage pregnancy. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on 182 pregnant teenagers for a period of seven months. The validated translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), questions on socioeconomic status and obstetric outcomes were recorded. Results: Teenage pregnancy rates for Singhalese, Tamil and Muslim were 87.4%, 8.2% and 4.4% respectively. The social support was adequate as 177(97%) were living with partners or parents. Unwanted pregnancies accounted for 13(7.1%) of teenage pregnancies at term. Outcomes were; birth weight 2.69 kg (2.57-2.81kg), pre-term labour 17(9.7%), hypertensive disorders 20(11.1%) and perinatal depression 30(16.5%). 75(42.9%) of pregnant teenagers were separated from one or both parents for more than six months in their childhood. There were no pregnant teenagers from upper social class, while 69(46.6%) were from middle and 79(53.4%) were from lower social class. Disruption to family structure and parental educational level of primary school less had 2.32 times and 2.78 times higher risk of perinatal depression in pregnant teenagers respectively. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancies in Sri Lanka are unique compared to other countries as they did not appear to be related to ethnicity and had good social support. Disruption to family structure and socioeconomic background of the parents were risk factors for adolescent pregnancy. Although the majority were wanted pregnancies there was a significant amount of unwanted pregnancies at term. Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol.37(3) 2015: 47-53
Highlights
Teenage pregnancies account for approximately 6.1% of total pregnancies in Sri Lanka
The social support was adequate as 177(97%) were living with partners or parents
Teenage pregnancies in Sri Lanka are unique compared to other countries as they did not appear to be related to ethnicity and had good social support
Summary
Teenage pregnancies account for approximately 6.1% of total pregnancies in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the study were to assess obstetric and psychological outcomes and socioeconomic determinants of teenage pregnancy. The incidence of teenage pregnancy is declining in most western countries, the scenario in developing countries may be changing for the worse[1]. The family health bureau of Sri Lanka estimates teenage pregnancies to be approximately 6.1% of total pregnancies[2]. Studies done in Europe show that the most consistent factor associated with teenage pregnancy is a low socioeconomic status including disruption. Caesarean section Birth weight * Mean (kg) 2.5 kg* ≤2.5 kg.
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