Prevalence of teenage pregnancy in 2015–2016 and its obstetric outcomes compared to nonteenage pregnancy at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban (HTJS), Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia: A retrospective case-control study based on the national obstetric registry
- Author:
Kavitha Nagandla
;
Krishna Kumar
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Teenage pregnancies, prevalence, obstetric outcomes, perinatal outcomes
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2020;15(2):2-9
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: To determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and compare its obstetric and perinatal
outcomes with those of non-teenage pregnancy.
Method: This retrospective hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the Department
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban. The study made use of the
Malaysian National Obstetric Registry (NOR) records of teenage pregnant women aged 11–19
at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban over a 12-month period between May 2015 and May 2016
(n=164). Socio-demographic profiles, obstetric outcomes, and perinatal outcomes were detailed
for each pregnant woman. The results were compared to a control group of 169 pregnant women
aged 20–30 who also delivered in hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban during the same period. The
aim of this study was to assess the obstetric outcomes of teenage pregnancy and to compare them
with those of the control group. A chi-squared test was used to identify the statistical significance of
the relationship between teenage pregnancy rates and obstetric outcomes. Results with p <0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 2.8%. The mean age of the teenage group was
17.9; that of the control group was 26.4. Teenage mothers had a significantly higher risk of anemia
(p<0.05), episiotomy (p<0.001), preterm labor (p<0.001), and delivering low-birthweight babies
(p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mode of delivery,
antenatal complications, birth outcomes, APGAR scores at 5th minute, or neonatal complications.
Conclusion: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy in this study is relatively low but is associated
with an increased risk of some perinatal complications. The primary care physician’s role is pivotal
in educating adolescents on sexual health, providing continual care in hospitals, and empowering
teenagers in their reproductive health decisions.
- Full text:2.2019my0077.pdf
