Adolescent Pregnancy Outcomes Research Articles

Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenthood: A Qualitative Study Examining Nurses' Perspectives.

It is a well-established fact that the utilization of health services by pregnant adolescents is associated with the views and care provided by nurses. This study, aiming to reveal the perspectives of nurses working in a state hospital in Turkey on adolescent pregnancies and parenthood, contributes valuable insights for designing interventions to improve adolescent pregnancy outcomes. This research was carried out using the "individual in-depth interview" data collection technique as a phenomenological study, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The study included 15 health professionals who met the criteria to participate. The data were analyzed in six stages using a thematic approach. It emerged in relation to the feelings of the adolescent; the situations encountered, the factors affecting the awareness of being an adolescent pregnant and a parent, the difficulties encountered in care, social pressure, and touching the adolescent's life. It was observed that nurses and midwives had mixed feelings towards adolescent pregnant women and parents and reflected these feelings in their caregiving styles.

Pandemic-induced healthcare shifts: an observational analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread changes in healthcare delivery, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant adolescents. These patients faced additional challenges, including developmental and gestational changes, stress from isolation, and altered healthcare access, which may have impacted the incidence and prevalence of maternal and neonatal complications. This study aims to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies before and during the pandemic, focusing on how shifts in healthcare delivery influenced these outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 340 adolescent pregnant patients who received prenatal care at a tertiary care institution. Patients were divided into two groups: pre-pandemic (n = 209) and pandemic (n = 131). Maternal data, including pre-BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG), were collected to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and odds ratio (OR) calculations. The pandemic group showed a statistically significant increase in cesarean deliveries (p = 0.002; OR = 1.99) and cervicovaginitis, particularly caused by Ureaplasma spp. Conversely, the pre-pandemic group had higher rates of psychoactive substance use, maternal urinary tract infections, and neonatal transient tachypnea. In the pandemic group, overweight pre-gestational BMI and cervicovaginitis were more prevalent in patients with adequate GWG, while inadequate GWG was associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). A significant association between pre-gestational overweight/obesity and excessive GWG was also observed (p < 0.05). The COVID-19 pandemic altered both healthcare delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies. Changes in healthcare access, isolation, and shifts in medical management during the pandemic resulted in higher cesarean rates and infection rates among pregnant adolescents. These findings underscore the need for adaptable, resilient healthcare systems capable of maintaining comprehensive care even in the face of global crises. Further studies are needed to explore long-term effects on adolescent maternal and neonatal health.

Adolescent Pregnancy: A Comparative Insight into the Prevalence and Risks of Obstetric Complications in a Polish Cohort.

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased risk of both maternal and neonatal complications. Common maternal complications include anemia, hypertensive disorders, and a higher incidence of infections, including Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Additionally, adolescents are at increased risk for gestational diabetes and postpartum hemorrhage. Neonatal complications often involve low birth weight, prematurity, and an increased likelihood of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Objectives: This study aims to assess and compare the prevalence of obstetric complications between adolescent and older pregnant women. Methods: This retrospective study investigates obstetric outcomes in adolescent pregnancies, analyzing data collected from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2024. This study included 902 participants, of whom 224 were adolescents. The variables were categorized into maternal, birth, and neonatal characteristics. Results: Adolescent patients demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection, affecting 25.89% of this group. Adolescent patients reported 17.86% nicotine use during pregnancy, a rate significantly higher than that of older age groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, adolescent pregnancies were associated with the highest mean blood loss during delivery, averaging 500 mL during vaginal birth and 1050 mL during cesarean section, leading to a higher incidence of blood transfusions (3.13%, p = 0.021). Newborns from adolescent pregnancies had the lowest mean birth weight (3199 g) and length (53.6 cm). Neonatal complications were more frequent in this group, affecting 20.09% of newborns, with a significantly higher rate of admission to intensive care units (2.68%, p = 0.008). These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and more proactive management strategies to address the specific challenges faced by this population.

Cohort profile: The Camden Study - a pregnancy cohort study of pregnancy complications and birth outcomes in Camden, New Jersey, USA.

Pregnancy is a unique stage of the life course characterized by trade-offs between the nutritional, immune, and metabolic needs of the mother and fetus. The Camden Study was originally initiated to examine nutritional status, growth, and birth outcomes in adolescent pregnancies and expanded to study dietary and molecular predictors of pregnancy complications and birth outcomes in young women. From 1985-2006, 4765 pregnant participants aged 12 years and older were recruited from Camden, NJ, one of the poorest cities in the U.S. The cohort reflects a population under-represented in perinatal cohort studies (45% Hispanic, 38% non-Hispanic Black, 17% White participants; 98% using Medicaid in pregnancy). Study visits, including questionnaires, dietary assessments, and biospecimen collection, occurred in early and late pregnancy as well as at delivery. Medical records were abstracted, and a subset of mothers and infants participated in a six-week postpartum visit. Over the last five decades, the Camden Study has provided data toward the publication of numerous peer-reviewed papers. Results show that adolescent linear growth in pregnancy is associated with smaller birth size, possibly due to impaired hemodynamics. In the context of preterm birth and other perinatal outcomes, analyses of nutritional data have demonstrated the importance of micronutrients (e.g., folate, iron, zinc), as well as glucose/insulin dynamics and prenatal supplement use. More recent analyses have begun to unpack the biochemical pathways in pregnancy that may be shaped by race as an indicator for systemic racism. The Camden Study data and biorepositories are well-positioned to support future research aimed at better understanding perinatal health in under-represented women and infants. Linkages to subsequent health and administrative records and the potential for recontacting participants over 18-39 years after initial participation may provide key insights into the trajectories of maternal and child health across the life course.

Maternal and foetal risks associated with teenage pregnancy - a comparative retrospective study in Turkey

Background Adolescent pregnancy is defined as pregnancy occurring in young women between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Adolescent pregnancies, which are among the social healthcare concerns in developed and developing countries, have negative effects on maternal and infant health. Pregnancy in adolescence puts the health of both the mother and child at risk, as adolescent pregnancies have higher rates of eclampsia, systemic infection, low birth weight, and preterm delivery compared to other pregnancies. In this study, the effects of education level, smoking, and marital status on maternal and foetal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies were evaluated. Methods The records of a total of 960 pregnant women (480 pregnant adolescents aged 15–19 years and 480 pregnant adult women aged 20–26 years) were examined retrospectively. The demographic data of the groups and maternal and foetal outcomes of the pregnancies were compared. A logistic regression model was established as a statistical method for reducing confounding effects. Results Unmarried women were statistically significantly more prevalent in the adolescent group (38.3% vs. 7.3%). Among the considered risk factors, preeclampsia (2.9% vs. 0.8%) and smoking (29.8% vs. 9.8%) were statistically significantly more common in the adolescent group. When the groups were compared in terms of risk factors in pregnancy, it was found that pregnancy in adolescence was associated with a 3.04-fold higher risk of smoking, 5.25-fold higher risk of being unmarried, 3.50-fold higher risk of preeclampsia, and 1.70-fold higher risk of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Conclusions This study demonstrates an increased risk of preeclampsia, IUGR, and smoking during pregnancy in adolescent pregnant women. These findings can be used to identify adolescent pregnancies requiring specific assistance and to take measures to reduce the probability of adverse outcomes.

Correlates of adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy in Sidama region, Ethiopia. An unmatched case-control study

IntroductionAdolescent pregnancy has received little attention, despite being it is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Sidama regional state is one of the regions in Ethiopia that has high rates of adolescent pregnancy. This study aimed to identify factors related to adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy, in the Sidama region, Ethiopia. MethodsA hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 120 cases and 240 controls of pregnant adolescents. Structured interviews and patient record reviews were used to examine the potential correlates and adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy. Using binary logistic analysis, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals, were computed to identify factors related to adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancies. ResultsA monthly income below the poverty level (AOR: 3.40; 95% CI, 1.21–9.58), lack of antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 4.22; 95% CI, 1.97–9.04), experiencing gender-based violence (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI, 1.16–3.57), and referral to a specialized health facility (AOR: 2.79; 95% CI,1.39, 5.62) were associated with higher odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes. ConclusionSeveral socio-economic and health care system-related determinants are associated with adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to improve free and accessible maternal health care services for adolescents, focusing on education, challenging social norms that condone gender-based violence as well as enhancing the referral system to lessen the burden of adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy.

Comparison of the adolescent pregnancy outcomes between refugees and Turkish citizens.

Adolescent pregnant women have significant risk factors in terms of preterm birth, low birth weight, gestational and neonatal complications, and neonatal and infant deaths. In many countries, living as a refugee differs from living as a local citizen regarding education level, access to health services, and lifestyle. We aimed to compare the obstetric, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes of Turkish and refugee adolescent pregnant women admitted to a tertiary maternity center. The study was planned as a retrospective cross-sectional. We included adolescent pregnant women who delivered between February 2018 and August 2023. Adolescent pregnant women were divided into two groups, the Turkish group and the Syrian refugee group, and compared with each other. One thousand and fifty-one Turkish and 742 refugee adolescent pregnant women were included in the study. Adolescent pregnancy rates are higher in refugees than in the Turkish group (p < 0.001). We found that maternal age (p < 0.001), preeclampsia rates (p=0.029), gestational age at delivery (p < 0.001), and cesarean delivery rates (p=0.02) were lower in refugee adolescent pregnant women. Furthermore, we found that the anemia rates (p < 0.001) and low birth weight newborn rates (p = 0.011) were higher in refugee adolescent pregnant women. Enhancing the outcomes of adolescent pregnancies among refugees necessitates a heightened focus on education regarding sexual reproduction, increased prenatal follow-ups, and enhanced training in family planning.

Comparing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in adolescent versus adult mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Adolescent pregnancy is a major social and public health problem that burdens affected families, the communities and societies globally. It has been associated with a higher prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to pregnancy in adults. To compare adverse pregnancy outcomes in adolescents (13-19 years) and those in adults (20 to 35 years) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana and investigate the associated factors among adolescents. This comparative study involved 110 adolescents (13-19 years) and 220 adults (20 to 35 years) who delivered at the Maternity Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital between November 2016 and February 2017. Participants were recruited using the convenience sampling method. After study protocol was explained to the parturient, informed voluntary consent and assent were obtained. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal and delivery records; and maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and the participants' records. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancies during the study period was 5.1%. Compared to adults, adolescents were about 3 times more likely to have eclampsia although preeclampsia occurred more in adults. Adolescents that resided in sub-urban dwellings were more likely to have an adverse perinatal outcome compared to their adult counterparts. Our study found that, in addition to their socioeconomic and biophysical disadvantages, adolescents were likely to have exceptionally high risk of eclampsia.

827 Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies with Diabetes

827 Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies with Diabetes

A Retrospective Study on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies at a Referral Hospital in Bengaluru

Background and Aim: Adolescent pregnancy has become an important health and social issue in both developing and developed countries. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in India is 6.8%. Adolescent pregnancy has shown association with preterm birth, low birth weight, perinatal death, miscarriage, puerperal sepsis, mental illness, and maternal death. With this background, this study was taken up with the objective to delineate the maternal and neonatal complications seen in teenage pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective case record analysis with descriptive study design of all adolescent pregnancies delivered between October 2021 and September 2022 with mother’s age being ≤19 years, at a first referral hospital in Bengaluru were included in the study. Participants who could not be contacted were excluded from the study. Results: Out of the 1005 deliveries during the study period, 55 were adolescent pregnancy with a proportion of 5.47%. The most common maternal complication is pregnancy-induced hypertension (8.5%) and the most common neonatal complication is low birth weight (21.2%). Conclusions: Despite continuous and consistent efforts by the health-care administration and health-care personnel under maternal and child national health program, the expected outcomes in terms of usage of contraception and delaying first pregnancy have not been attained.

The Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies in a Developed Cosmopolitan Middle Eastern Country: A Retrospective Pearl-Peristat Registry

The Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies in a Developed Cosmopolitan Middle Eastern Country: A Retrospective Pearl-Peristat Registry

A Hidden Burden On Public Health: Adolescent Pregnancy And Increased Adverse Perinatal Outcomes

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Objective: Adolescent pregnancy, associated with increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, is a major public health problem. This study aimed to assess adverse perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies by comparing them with adult pregnancies. &#x0D; Methods: 1104 adolescent and 2463 adult pregnant women were included. Presence of fetal anomaly, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, intrahepatic cholestasis, polyhydramnios, placenta previa, in utero mort fetus, uterine rupture, placenta abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, acute fetal distress, preterm birth, cesarean section, labor arrest, birth weight, macrosomia, dystocia, birth trauma, APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit admission, postpartum hemorrhage, hysterectomy, blood transfusion, and postpartum infection were recorded. &#x0D; Results: Rates of acute fetal distress, preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, postpartum hemorrhage, and blood transfusion were higher while birth weight, APGAR scores of fifth minutes, the rates of cesarean section, prolonged and arrested labor, gestational diabetes, and macrosomia were lower in adolescents. In regression analysis, being adolescent pregnant increase the risk of acute fetal distress by 1.4 times (aOR=1.439;95%CI=1.030-2.01, p=0.033), preterm birth by 1.7 times (aOR=1.692; 95%CI=1.104-2.596, p=0.016) and decrease the risk of gestational diabetes (aOR=0.182; 95%CI=0.116-0.286, p

Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies Compared with Adult Pregnancies at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tak Province, Thailand

Objective: To compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies with adult pregnancies at Somdej Phrachao Taksin Maharat Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Tak Province, Thailand. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Somdej Phrachao Taksin Maharat Hospital in Tak province. Singleton pregnant women aged 12 to 34 years who delivered between January 2020 and December 2022 were recruited. Data on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, Spearman’s rho correlation, and Pearson chi-square tests. Results: One thousand four hundred sixty-one pregnant women data was collected and divided into three groups, 20 to 34 years with 1,029 participants, 16 to 19 years with 358 participants, and 12 to 15 years with 74 participants. Pregnant women aged 19 or below had significantly higher rates of complications, such as anemia, preterm birth, and caesarean delivery, compared to those over 19 years (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancies showed more obstetric and neonatal complications. To reduce the problems, enhance sex education, birth control methods for teenagers, and appropriate antenatal care. Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Tak province; Thailand

Effect of Digital applications on maternal as well as neonatal outcomes in Young pregnant girls: A Scope Review.

To understand the effect of digital applications on maternal and neonatal outcomes in young pregnant girls. A PubMed, CINAHL and Medline online database search was conducted, and related studies were included the databases were searched in order to carry out a more in detailed search of the available literature utilizing keywords like "digital technology"; "adolescent mothers"; and "infant, newborn", as well as Boolean operators to generate papers pertinent which were correlating with the objective of the study. The findings revealed that the PPPs employed produced both positive and negative effects on mothers and newborns. Some were effective, especially in aspects related to improved mental health, while others did not necessarily support the adolescents in preparing for pregnancy and childbirth, but rather raised their anxiety levels. Similarly, the use of these apps decreased the use of emergency neonatal services by the adolescent mothers and the infants were lower in likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. Participants appreciated the social media-based instruction, but this exposure did not translate into considerable change in routines and behaviors. Digital and web-based solutions had the ability to influence adolescent pregnancy outcomes, but further research is needed to assess the extent to which these support services are useful in this Population Group.

Contemporary pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Indonesia: A qualitative investigation with adolescent girls in West Java and Central Sulawesi.

In the last decade, reduction in adolescent fertility rates in Indonesia has slowed despite national programmes and policies focused on addressing child marriage. Indonesia currently has the highest number of births to adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in Southeast Asia. There is a need to develop a more nuanced understanding of the drivers of adolescent pregnancy in Indonesia to inform programmes and policies tailored to young people's needs and priorities. This study explored adolescent girls' pathways to pregnancy across two provinces (Central Sulawesi and West Java) in Indonesia. We conducted participatory timeline interviews with 79 girls aged 15-21 years from urban, peri-urban, and rural communities and inquired about their relationships and life experiences leading up to pregnancy. We conducted follow-up interviews with 19 selected participants to validate and clarify preliminary findings. We identified six pathways to adolescent pregnancy which were broadly differentiated by the timing of pregnancy relative to marriage. Three pregnancy pathways within marriage were further differentiated by the main motivation for marriage-financial reasons, protecting the girl and family's reputation, or to progress a romantic relationship. Three pregnancy pathways outside marriage were distinguished by the nature of the sexual relationship preceding pregnancy-consensual sex, unwanted or pressured sex, and forced sex. Drivers of adolescent pregnancy include the acceptability of child marriage and stigma surrounding premarital pregnancy, family and social expectations of pregnancy following marriage, harmful gender-based norms and violence, and lack of sexual and reproductive health information and access to services. Adolescents follow varied pathways to pregnancy in Indonesia. The idealisation and acceptance of child marriage is both a catalyst and outcome of adolescent pregnancy, which is occurring amid stigma surrounding premarital sex and pregnancy, harmful gender-based norms and violence, and barriers to contraceptive access and use. Our findings emphasise that there are many drivers of adolescent pregnancy and different pathways will require intervention approaches that address child marriage alongside other key contributors.

Maternal andNeonatal Outcomes ofAdolescent Pregnancies inthe Military Health System.

To determine if universal access to care for military beneficiaries improves timing of presentation to prenatal care (PNC) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) pregnancies, improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Retrospective descriptive cohort study, which assessed PNC initiation in eligible military beneficiaries: dependent daughters, active-duty women, and active-duty spouses aged 13 to 26 between January 2015 and December 2019, and subsequent adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The cohort included 4,557 eligible pregnancies and 4,044 mothers aged 13 to 26. Late entry to PNC was not associated with gestational diabetes, prolonged rupture of membranes, pregnancy loss, elective abortion, substance use, or premature labor. Younger age was significantly associated with substance use, elective abortion, and sexually transmitted infection. There were 2,107 eligible newborns. There was no significant difference in gestational age at birth, incidence of prematurity, birthweight percentile, or occurrence of a neonatal intensive care unit admission based on maternal age. In comparison to published national outcomes, there was a significantly smaller occurrence of preterm (5.3% vs. 9.57-10.23%, 95% CI, 4.4-6.4%), small for gestational age (5.2% vs. 10-13%, 95% CI, 4.3-6.2%), and large for gestational age (4.8% vs. 9%, 95% CI, 4.0-5.8%) births, but a higher occurrence of neonatal intensive care unit admissions (16.9% vs. 7.8-14.4%, 95% CI, 15.4-18.6%) in infants born to military beneficiaries. Our findings suggest that expanded universal access to health care may improve AYA pregnancy and delivery outcomes. Infants born to AYA military beneficiaries have improved neonatal outcomes compared to nationally published data. These results may correlate to improved maternal access within a free or low-cost healthcare system.

Adolescent Pregnancy Outcome in a District Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is universally accepted as high risk pregnancy. Bangladesh has the highest (1 in 10) adolescent fertility rate in South Asia.&#x0D; Objective: The study was conducted to find out the common problems of adolescent pregnancy.&#x0D; Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 respondents (50 adolescents and 50 adults) in Munshigonj General Hospital from 1st January to 31st December 2018. Respondents were admitted patients who have delivered either vaginally or by caesarian section. Women aged 15 to 19 years selected as adolescent and those aged 20 to 40 years selected as adult. Socio-demographic characteristics, past obstetric history, antenatal checkup, antenatal and intrapartum complications, and clinical state on admission were recorded in a semi structured questionnaire. Obstetrical parameters of adolescent and adult groups were compared.&#x0D; Results: Among total admitted patients 11% were adolescent. 70% were from rural area, 68% were poor, 50% didn’t have even primary education, 92% adolescent never use contraceptive, 56% had no ANC. Anemia (62%) and hypertension (24%) were prevalent among the pregnant adolescents. Complication rate were more in adolescent group, like preeclampsia (12%), eclampsia (14%), preterm labor (12%), prolonged labor (14%), obstructed labor (8%). Caesarean rate was higher (66%) in adolescent pregnancy.&#x0D; Conclusion: Majority of the adolescents had no ANC, complication rate were more prevalent in adolescent group. Adverse perinatal outcome was found in adolescent pregnancy.&#x0D; Mugda Med Coll J. 2022; 5(2): 55-59

Maternal and Perinatal Outcome of Adolescent Pregnancy

Maternal and Perinatal Outcome of Adolescent Pregnancy

Adverse Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Outcomes in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Case-Control Study.

Despite the increase in the age of marriage, early marriage and subsequent adolescent pregnancy remain a serious problem in many regions and societies. Due to low evidence in this regard, this study was conducted to determine the health consequences of adolescent pregnancy. This was a case-control study. The present study was performed on pregnant women who were referred to Ayatollah Mousavi hospital of Zanjan for delivery in 2021. Pregnant women with gestational age less than 19 years were considered as the case group and those with gestational age between 19-35 years as the control group. The pregnancy outcomes on the mother and the neonate were obtained through the researcher-made checklist. Chi-square test and student's t-test were used to compare variables between the two groups. In this study, 169 adolescent and 258 adult mothers were compared as the case and control groups, respectively. The mean age of cases and controls was 17.41±1.22 and 30.66±6.46 years, respectively. Cesarean delivery (34.5% vs. 23.67%, P=0.017) and anemia during pregnancy (16.28% vs. 10.7%, P=0.005) were significantly higher in the control group, while mood disorder after delivery was significantly higher in the case group (11.24% vs. 5.84%, P=0.04). The Apgar score 5 minutes after birth and birth weight were significantly higher in mothers of the control group (P<0.05). The results demonstrated that adolescent mothers are more prone to postpartum depression, and babies born to these mothers are more prone to low birth weight and a low Apgar score. Therefore, adolescent pregnancy should be managed as a high-risk pregnancy.

Unwinding the tangle of adolescent pregnancy and socio-economic functioning: leveraging administrative data from Manitoba, Canada

BackgroundUnderstanding the relationship between adolescent pregnancy and adult education and employment outcomes is complicated due to the endogeneity of fertility behaviors and socio-economic functioning. Studies exploring adolescent pregnancy have often relied on limited data to measure adolescent pregnancy (i.e. birth during adolescence or self-reports) and lack access to objective measures of school performance during childhood.MethodsWe use rich administrative data from Manitoba, Canada, to assess women’s functioning during childhood (including pre-pregnancy academic performance), fertility behaviors during adolescence (live birth, abortion, pregnancy loss, or no history of pregnancy), and adult outcomes of high school completion and receipt of income assistance. This rich set of covariates allows calculating propensity score weights to help adjust for characteristics possibly predictive of adolescent pregnancy. We also explore which risk factors are associated with the study outcomes.ResultsWe assessed a cohort of 65,732 women, of whom 93.5% had no teen pregnancy, 3.8% had a live birth, 2.6% had abortion, and < 1% had a pregnancy loss. Women with a history of adolescent pregnancy were less likely to complete high school regardless of the outcome of that pregnancy. The probability of dropping out of high school was 7.5% for women with no history of adolescent pregnancy; after adjusting for individual, household, and neighborhood characteristics, the probability of dropping out of high school was 14.2 percentage points (pp) higher (95% CI 12.0-16.5) for women with live birth, 7.6 pp. higher (95% CI 1.5-13.7) for women with a pregnancy loss, and 6.9 pp. higher (95% CI 5.2-8.6) for women who had abortion. They key risk factors for never completing high school are poor or average school performance in 9th grade. Women who had a live births during adolescence were much more likely to receive income assistance than any other group in the sample. Aside from poor school performance, growing up in poor households and in poor neighborhoods were also highly predictive of receiving income assistance during adulthood.DiscussionThe administrative data used in this study enabled us to assess the relationship between adolescent pregnancy and adult outcomes after controlling for a rich set of individual-, household-, and neighborhood-level characteristics. Adolescent pregnancy was associated with higher risk of never completing high school regardless of the pregnancy outcome. Receipt of income assistance was significantly higher for women having a live birth, but only marginally higher for those who had a pregnancy that ended in loss or termination, underlining the harsh economic consequences of caring for a child as a young mother. Our data suggest that interventions targeting young women with poor or average school marks may be especially effective public policy priorities.