The Consequence of Teenage Pregnancy on the Primigravida Health Outcome Delivers at Sulaymaniyah Maternity Teaching Hospital-Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Teenage first pregnancy is a significant public health problem as it often occurs in the context of poor social support and maternal wellbeing. It is consid-ered high risk for both the mother and infant. This study aimed to find out the effect of teenage pregnancy on neonatal health outcomes. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and involved all pregnant teenage mothers admitted to Sulaymaniyah Maternity Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019. Results: 332 of mothers aged ≤19 years and their newborns were studied. A higher pro-portion of teenage mothers were from rural areas than the urban areas (59.3% vs 40.7%). The percentage of teenage mothers who did not attend antenatal care was 11.14%, and irregular attendees represented 9.94 %. Compared with teenage mothers aged 14–16 years, teenage mothers aged 17–19 years had higher risks of anaemia, systemic infections, coincidental condition, low birth weight, preterm delivery and low Apgar score. The risk of aspiration of meconium and stillbirth among infants born to teenage mothers was statisti-cally not significant after adjustment for gestational age and birth weight, in addition to maternal characteristics and mode of delivery. Teenage pregnancy was associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: Prevention strategies and the improvement of healthcare are essential to re-duce the consequences of teenage pregnancy on maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Teenage women were less likely to receive antenatal care services. Use of community- and health facility-based education programs are necessary to prevent teenage pregnancy and thus reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.