Teenage Mothers Research Articles

Impact of individual and environmental factors on academic performance of pregnant adolescent

BackgroundTeenage pregnancies continue to disrupt teenage girls’ academic development. As a result, teenage mothers are at risk of unemployment, maternal death, and poverty. Previous research, however, has shown that both individual and environmental factors can have a significant impact on the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy. However, there has been little rigorous research on the impact of these factors on pregnant students’ academic performance.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between environmental (neighbourhood) and individuals (sexual attitudes, peer attachment) factors. It also examined the influence of individual factors on the academic performance of pregnant teens.MethodsThe study included a cross-sectional study of 400 pregnant adolescent students aged 15–19 years. The target groups were drawn from three major cities in Nigeria. Respondents were identified through targeted snowballing. Pregnant participants were a combination of married and unmarried girls attending school from home. Data were collected using a structured and self-completed questionnaire. Thus, frequency, mean and standard deviation were used for descriptive analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to show the relationship between variables.ResultsThe study found that neighbourhood (r=-.125, p = .12) had a negative and significant relationship with peer attachment. However, there was no significant evidence of a relationship between sexual attitudes and neighbourhood (r=-.040, p = .422). There was, however, a significant relationship between sexual attitudes and academic performance (r = .236, p = .000). There was also a relationship between peer attachment and academic performance (r=-.401, p = < 0.001).ConclusionThis study suggests that the academic performance of pregnant teenagers necessitates a combination of approaches, which includes changes in personal and prosocial behaviour, and environmental reforms. This can be achieved through, peer education, school day-care, subsidised or free contraceptives, free or subsidized education, and community programmes that positively influence young adults in the neighbourhood. These approaches can indirectly boost self-efficacy, motivation, and confidence to achieve higher academic feat, while reducing school dropout rate among the target groups.

A narrative review of teen mothers’ long-term outcomes: what birth cohort studies tell us

Studies examining the relationship between young maternal age and maternal outcomes are often cross-sectional or short term. We review birth cohort studies that investigate life course outcomes of teen mothers past age 25. Strengths of birth cohort studies include a focus on a complete cohort, rather than a sample, and prospective data collection beginning before or at birth. Limitations are high cost, attrition and unmeasured background factors. Some 20 studies from six countries met study criteria. This narrative review describes how teenage mothers fare as adults, identifies factors that modify outcomes and examines whether outcomes reflect specific time periods or cohorts. Childhood disadvantage was a greater marker of teen mothering in more recent cohorts, even in countries with strong social welfare programmes. The effects of young maternal age on all outcomes diminished when strong controls adjusted for selectivity into teen mothering.

School-Based Supports for Parenting Teens: A Qualitative Study to Understand the Daily Life of Mothers in High School

Abstract Date Presented 04/21/2023 This study aims to understand how school-based parenting programs affect the occupational performance of teen mothers in their dual roles as both student and parent. Results show that individual support and community are particularly important in supporting success. Primary Author and Speaker: Libby Hladik Additional Authors and Speakers: Marie Hynek, Lan Vo Contributing Authors: Karla Ausderau

A Systematic Review of Risk Factors, Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes in Teenage Pregnancy: Evidence Base for Policy Recommendations

It is commonly accepted that teen pregnancies raise the risk of both mental and physical health problems, although, worldwide, research amply supports the impact of adolescent pregnancies on the expansion of human capital. The association implies that, in the long-run, a teenage mother’s prospects will be harmed, expanding the gender gap. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of adolescent pregnancy, the health issues that they and their unborn babies must deal with, and to ascertain -- through a systematic review -- what additional developmental needs are brought on by early pregnancy. Nine studies were chosen to research the primary risk factors of teen pregnancy, while ten articles evaluated the negative effects of early pregnancy. A total of 19 articles, published in reliable journals between 2009 and 2021, were chosen for the study. Reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies were not chosen: only original work from reputable journals was considered. The most common causes of teenage pregnancy were found to be the lack of formal education, ignorance of how contraception should be handled, ignorance of sex and pregnancy risks, and early marriage. The analysis revealed that neonatal disorders such as eclampsia, severe anaemia, haemorrhage, and premature birth are more common among adolescent mothers. The results show that neonates and adolescent mothers both have negative impacts from early pregnancies. The study emphasizes the importance of sex education and campaigns to promote the use of contraception. Also, proper physical care and psychosocial support through health care agencies should be promoted.Keywords:, , , and

Women's utilisation of quality antenatal care, intrapartum care and postnatal care services in Ethiopia: a population-based study using the demographic and health survey data

ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the level and determinants of receiving quality antenatal care (ANC), intrapartum care, and postnatal care (PNC) services by women in Ethiopia. The quality of care a woman receives during ANC, intrapartum care, and PNC services affects the health of the woman and her child and her likelihood of seeking care in the future.MethodsData from the nationally representative Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 were analysed for 5,527 mothers who gave birth within five years preceding the survey. We defined quality ANC as having: blood pressure measurement, urine and blood tests, informed of danger signs, iron supplementation, and nutritional counselling during ANC services; quality intrapartum care as having: a health facility birth, skilled birth assistance, and a newborn put to the breast within one hour of birth during intrapartum care services; and quality PNC as having: PNC within two days; cord examination; temperature measurement, and counselling on danger signs and breastfeeding of the newborn; and healthcare provider's observation of breastfeeding during PNC services. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analyses specifying three-level models: a woman/household, a cluster, and an administrative region to determine predictors of each care quality. The analyses employed sampling weights and were adjusted for sampling design.ResultsThirty-six percent (n = 1,048), 43% (n = 1,485), and 21% (n = 374) women received quality ANC, intrapartum care and PNC services, respectively. Private healthcare facilities provided higher-quality ANC and PNC but poor-quality intrapartum care, compared to public health facilities. Having four or more ANC visits, commencing ANC during the first trimester, and higher women's education levels and household wealth indices were positive predictors of quality ANC use. Government health posts were less likely to provide quality ANC. Wealthier, urban-residing women with education and four or more ANC contacts were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care. Women who received quality ANC and skilled birth assistance were more likely to receive quality PNC. Teenage mothers were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care, but were less likely to receive quality PNC than mothers aged 20–49.ConclusionsWe recommend standardizing the contents of ANC provided in all healthcare facilities; and promoting early and four or more ANC contacts, effectiveness, sensitivity and vigilance of care provided to teenage mothers, and women's education and economic empowerment.

Complexity of teen mothers and its implications on family wellbeing in Rwanda

In an attempt to understand the complexity of teen parents and associated consequences, the present study was conducted. It examines the connection between teen parents and family well-being in five selected Districts of Rwanda. Data were collected from 226 respondents randomly selected. Respondents included 176 teen mothers, 30 parents of teen mothers and 20 local leaders. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were presented in percentages while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The results revealed that teen mothers are exposed to various social and economic problems. Rejected and depressed, 61.4% of pregnant teens thought about abortion and were restricted by lack of financial means while 9% thought about suicide which affects the physical and mental health of both teens and their children. Furthermore, 80.4% of teen mothers were not given the opportunity to resume their studies after delivering which amplifies their poverty exposure and their children as well. Parents/guardians need to be supportive through good communication so as to know what their children are going through and advise them accordingly. Moreover, they should bear with them in case a pregnancy occurs so that they may not feel depressed and think of abortion or suicide. They should not chase them from home since it increases their exposure to repeated pregnancies. There is a need of sensitizing the community about strategies that can reduce teen mothers’ rates as well as appropriate action in case teens get impregnated.

Is teenage parenthood associated with early use of disability pension? Evidence from a longitudinal study.

Over the past decades the number of young people using disability pensions (DP) has gradually increased in Europe but the reasons for this change are poorly understood. We hypothesize that teenage parenthood could be associated with an increased risk of receiving early DP. The aim of this study was to examine the association between having a first child at age 13-19 and receiving DP at age 20-42 (here called early DP). A longitudinal cohort study was undertaken based on national register data obtained from 410,172 individuals born in Sweden in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Teenage mothers and fathers were followed until age 42 and compared to non-teenage parent counterparts to examine their early receipt of DP. Descriptive analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox regression analyses were performed. The proportion of teenage parents was more than twice higher in the group that received early DP (16%) compared to the group that did not receive early DP (6%) during the study duration. A higher proportion of teenage mothers and fathers started to receive DP at 20-42 years old compared to non-teenage parents, and the difference between the two groups increased during the observation period. A strong association was observed between being a teenage parent and receiving early DP, significant both independently and after adjusting for the year of birth and the father's level of education. From the age of 30 to 42 years, teenage mothers used early DP more often than teenage fathers or non-teenage parents, and this difference also increased during the follow-up period. A strong association was found between teenage parenthood and the use of DP between 20 and 42 years of age. Teenage mothers used DP more than teenage fathers and non-teenage parents.

Psychosocial Experiences and Challenges of Pregnant Teenagers in GA South Municipality

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the psychosocial challenges of pregnant teenagers in Ga South Municipality. The specific objectives were to: explore the nature of teenage pregnancies, assess psychological challenges affecting pregnant teenagers, assess social challenges of pregnant teenagers and suggest counselling interventions that can ameliorate identified challenges.&#x0D; Methodology: The research design used in this study was qualitative because the study aimed to understand the psychosocial experiences of teenage mothers in schools. The study used a purposive sampling method which is an example of non-probability sampling technique. Pregnant teenagers between ages 10-19 were recruited and in-depth interview (IDI) was carried out. The IDI was chosen because it gives more information on sensitive issues. Data processing and analysis started on the day of the in-depth interview.&#x0D; Findings: The study revealed that multiple factors contribute to the high levels of teenage pregnancy in the Ga South Municipality and most pregnant teenagers go through a lot of psychosocial challenges. The results and findings show that the canker of teenage pregnancy requires a multi-faceted approach at both structural and individual levels to tackle the challenge. Furthermore, poverty and low levels of living conditions in rural areas contributed greatly to high incidence of teenage pregnancy as observed in Ga South Municipality Area. It is recommended that; Ghana Education Service will need to revise its curriculum and enable teachers enhance their knowledge and skills in teenage sexual health and values clarification sessions.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Churches and other religious bodies should educate their members about the effects of teenage pregnancy and its impacts on children through counseling and also plan for activities that mostly involve marriage couples.

Does Anyone Suffer From Teenage Motherhood? Mental Health Effects of Teen Motherhood in Great Britain Are Small and Homogeneous

Teen mothers experience disadvantage across a wide range of outcomes. However, previous research is equivocal with respect to possible long-term mental health consequences of teen motherhood and has not adequately considered the possibility that effects on mental health may be heterogeneous. Drawing on data from the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study, this article applies a novel statistical machine-learning approach—Bayesian Additive Regression Trees—to estimate the effects of teen motherhood on mental health outcomes at ages 30, 34, and 42. We extend previous work by estimating not only sample-average effects but also individual-specific estimates. Our results show that sample-average mental health effects of teen motherhood are substantively small at all time points, apart from age 30 comparisons to women who first became mothers at age 25‒30. Moreover, we find that these effects are largely homogeneous for all women in the sample—indicating that there are no subgroups in the data who experience important detrimental mental health consequences. We conclude that there are likely no mental health benefits to policy and interventions that aim to prevent teen motherhood.

Relationship of Body Image, Self Esteem, Socio-economic Status and Peer Influence with Teenage Pregnancy in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Teenage pregnancy has been identified as a social issue that requires attention. Given the negative impact on teenage mothers, the people who care for them, and the children they give birth to. This study examined the pattern of relationship between body image, self-esteem, socio-economic status, peer influence, and teenage pregnancy. This study employed a correlational design, and a multistage sampling procedure was utilized. Adolescents in Ibadan constitutes the population (N = 150; 12.0% below 14 years, 58.7% 14 – 16 years, while 29.3% were 17 – 19 years). Participants completed standardized instruments: (Body Image Acceptance Survey α = 0.85; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale α = 0.78; Socio-economic Status Scale α = 0.79; Peer Influence Scale α = 0.81; and Teenage Pregnancy Scale α = 0.87). The results showed that body image (r = 0.327; p&lt;0.05), self-esteem (r = 0.376; p&lt;0.05), socio-economic status (r = 0.306; p&lt;0.05), and peer influence (r = 0.201, p&lt;0.05) all had a significant relationship with teenage pregnancy. A multiple regression coefficient (R = 0.484) and multiple regression adjusted (R2 = 0.234) were obtained. Also, self-esteem recorded the most effective relative contribution to teenage pregnancy, followed by body image, parental socio-economic status, and peer influence, respectively. This emphasizes the necessity of broad and all-encompassing strategies to stop teenage pregnancy because it is unlikely that a single element will be adequate to deal with the problem successfully.

Teen Mothers Forgotten: The Gap Between High School and Higher Education

Teen Mothers Forgotten: The Gap Between High School and Higher Education

Exploring Challenges Encountered by Teenage Mothers and Coping Mechanisms Towards Policy Recommendations

Exploring Challenges Encountered by Teenage Mothers and Coping Mechanisms Towards Policy Recommendations

Reviewing Publicly Available Reports on Child Health Disparities in Indigenous and Remote Communities of Australia.

Developing programs that ensure a safe start to life for Indigenous children can lead to better health outcomes. To create effective strategies, governments must have accurate and up-to-date information. Accordingly, we reviewed the health disparities of Australian children in Indigenous and remote communities using publicly available reports. A thorough search was performed on Australian government and other organisational websites (including the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW]), electronic databases [MEDLINE] and grey literature sites for articles, documents and project reports related to Indigenous child health outcomes. The study showed Indigenous dwellings had higher rates of crowding when compared to non-Indigenous dwellings. Smoking during pregnancy, teenage motherhood, low birth weight and infant and child mortality were higher among Indigenous and remote communities. Childhood obesity (including central obesity) and inadequate fruit consumption rates were also higher in Indigenous children, but Indigenous children from remote and very remote areas had a lower rate of obesity. Indigenous children performed better in physical activity compared to non-Indigenous children. No difference was observed in vegetable consumption rates, substance-use disorders or mental health conditions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Future interventions for Indigenous children should focus on modifiable risk factors, including unhealthy housing, perinatal adverse health outcomes, childhood obesity, poor dietary intake, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours.

Follow-up of Kangaroo Mother Care programmes in the last 28 years: results from a cohort of 57 154 low-birth-weight infants in Colombia

BackgroundKangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an evidence-based intervention focused on premature and low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. In different healthcare systems, outpatient KMC programmes (KMCPs) have been pioneers in the follow-up of...

Chances for children: The 22‐year journey of psychodynamic/attachment‐based infant mental health in underserved communities

AbstractThis paper follows the 22‐year journey of a small community‐based program with roots in a psychoanalytic training institute, to the program's current status as an independent non‐profit organization serving families throughout the Bronx with psychodynamic, attachment‐based parent‐infant treatment. The product of an unusual collaboration among a psychoanalytic training institute, a program of the NYC Department of Education and several generous foundations, we aimed to offer teen mothers a dyadic model of parent‐infant intervention based on the principles of psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, and mentalization through the lens of an infant mental health perspective. Underlying the creation, implementation, and expansion of the Chances for Children organization at every level were questions of basic trust and mistrust, class, and culture. With this in mind, we describe the development of the model, collaborations with institutions and communities, and the obstacles we encountered along the way. On a macro level, we consider questions of class, culture, and institution that we encountered on every level in institutional bureaucracy, in community outreach, and in collaborating programs. On a more micro level, we use the contexts of a teen‐parent therapeutic group and a dyadic mother‐child treatment to address issues that arise when white, middle‐class clinicians of privilege work in communities of color that are frequently suffering insufficiencies in food, housing, jobs, and experiencing random violence. Finally, we reflect on what has made the work of Chances for Children possible, successful, and enduring even as we embarked on the telehealth practices necessary during the COVID pandemic.

Nutrition and health implications of preterm children born to adolescent mothers

Preterm birth is one of the most important determinants of adverse infant outcomes, in terms of survival and quality of life. Adolescent pregnant is among the factors that are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. However, despite its significant contribution, this age group has not received sufficient attention in efforts to prevent and reduce the burden of preterm births. The current efforts are generalized to all age groups and do not consider that adolescents have special age requirements even before becoming pregnant. This literature review summarizes some of the key nutrition and health challenges in pregnant adolescent that are linked to preterm birth as well as possible acute and chronic nutritional and health challenges to their preterm children. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE were searched using keywords such as “adolescent”, “health,” “preterm”, “Teen mothers”, “nutrition” “preterm birth” and pertinent articles (N&nbsp;= 74) were retrieved and reviewed. Due to maternal young age, preterm children of adolescent mothers also have high risk of suffering from short and long adverse health and nutritional problems. Female adolescents should not only be viewed from one angle of growing girls but also as part of women of the reproductive age group. They should not receive any less of the benefits of this age group that include adequate education about reproductive health, pregnancy nutrition and use and choice of contraceptives.

Neighbourhood Gangs, Crime Spillovers and Teenage Motherhood

Abstract Using an identification strategy based on random assignment of refugees to different municipalities in Denmark between 1986 and 1998, we find strong evidence that gang crime rates in the neighbourhood at assignment increase the probability of boys to commit crimes before the age of 19, and that gang crime (but not other crime) increases the likelihood of teenage motherhood for girls. Higher levels of gang crime also have detrimental and long-lasting effects, with men experiencing significantly higher levels of inactivity and women experiencing lower earnings and higher levels of welfare benefit claims at ages 19 to 28.

Prevalence, Trends, and Factors Associated with Teen Motherhood in Nigeria: An Analysis of the 2008–2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys

Background: Teen pregnancy and childbearing are common in Nigeria, and understanding the complexities, such as sociodemographics and economic factors including sexual and reproductive health knowledge and awareness among adolescents over time can trigger innovative approaches and interventions. This study intends to capture the patterns and associated factors of teen motherhood among sexually active adolescents (15–19 years) between 2008 and 2018. Methods: The study data was extracted from 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. Descriptive analysis was presented using frequencies and percentages; multivariable analysis was conducted using log-binomial logistic regression at a p-value <0.05. All analyses were performed using Stata 15.0, weighted and adjusted for the complex survey design and population size. Results: The prevalence of teen motherhood increased between the three successive survey waves (50.9% vs. 52.4% vs. 55.2%) from 2008, 2013, and 2018. Although, the pooled adjusted analysis revealed no significant change over the 10-year period. Knowledge of modern contraceptive methods, primary education, non-Catholic Christians, residing in the South-South region, and those currently or formerly married were associated with increased risk of teen motherhood. There was an inverse relationship between teen motherhood and wealth status; lower wealth status was associated with high adolescent pregnancy and childbearing. Conclusion: This study revealed an increase in the proportion of teen pregnancy and childbearing in Nigeria. Notably, there exist variations across age groups, geographic location, educational level, religious belief, marital and economic status. Interventions that ensure comprehensive sexuality education, girl child education, and economic empowerment especially for school dropouts are advocated to reduce teen motherhood.

Teenage mothers' transitional living experiences and coping mechanisms: A phenomenological study

Due to the proliferation of the COVID-19 virus, a health protocol encouraging social isolation was implemented. However, teens continued to violate this rule, resulting in premarital sex, and young women became pregnant due to unsafe sexual activity. The study aimed to explore the transitional lived experiences of teenage mothers from being students to teen moms in the context of the new normal educational setting. The study utilized a transcendental phenomenological research approach to investigate and analyze the individual activities and behaviors of young moms. For qualitative data collection and triangulation-based data analysis, the researcher employed the live interview and participants' observations that were then recorded via audio and video. The study consisted of five research participants selected using the method of purposive sampling with the inclusion criteria of one teenage mother who were presently enrolled in school and two teenage mothers who had a child or were pregnant during the study's conduct. Using thematic analysis and data triangulation, the study's findings revealed three major themes. Keywords: Coping mechanisms, resilience, teenage mothers, transitional living experiences;

Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone: evidence from a nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey of 2019

BackgroundGlobally, teenage pregnancy remains a public health concern because of the associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. To address the extensive social, political and economic effects of teenage pregnancy, there is need for current epidemiological evidence on its prevalence and associated factors, especially from low resource settings where the burden is highest.MethodsWe used data from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDH), which included 3,427 female adolescents. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Teenage pregnancy was defined as those who had ever either had a child, or terminated a pregnancy, or were currently pregnant. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors associated with teenage pregnancy using SPSS version 25(Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).ResultsThe prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 22.1% [758/3,427]. Of these, 17.8%, (608/3427), had ever had childbirth, 4.2%, (144/3427), were pregnant, and 1.2%, (40/3427) had ever terminated a pregnancy. After adjusting for confounders, the odds of teenage pregnancy among married girls were about 15 times more than the odds among those who were not married (aOR; 15.31, 95% CI: 11.17–20.98) while the odds of teenage pregnancy among girls from the poorest households were 2.5 times more than the odds among girls from the richest households.ConclusionThe prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone is high. To reduce teenage pregnancy, the government of Sierra Leone and its partners should target married, older teenagers and those from poor households. Policies giving teenage mothers a second chance by encouraging them to return to school after childbirth should be encouraged as an alternative to early marriages.