Observations of stillbirths, birthweight and maternal haemoglobin in teenage pregnancy in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has become a serious public health problem, particularly in developing countries with limited obstetric facilities. The condition has often been associated with obstetric and gynaecological risks. The present study which attempts to identify such risks has revealed teenage pregnancy an an important public health problem in Nigeria. Out of 4,649 pregnant mothers followed up in an antenatal clinic of a general hospital, 704 (15.1%) were teenagers. The highest frequency of low birth weight babies was recorded amongst these teenage mothers; so also was anaemia. In addition, the number of stillbirths and the incidence of low birth-weight babies were found to increased with decreasing maternal haemoglobin level. As a result of the identified risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy, it is suggested that teenage pregnant mothers be given more specialised supervision during antenatal period and at delivery; while efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy through scholarship programs for the education of girls.