A Mini-review on the Determinants and Risk Factors of Adolescent Pregnancy in Developing Countries
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.3.44
- Author:
Shameer Khan Sulaiman
1
,
2
;
Idayu Badilla Idris
1
;
Rozita Hod
1
;
Nik Nairan Abdullah
3
;
Rafidah Hod
4
;
Nadia Aqilla Shamsusah
5
Author Information
1. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia&
2. Semporna District Health Office, Jalan Hospital, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia
3. Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, 47000 Selangor, Malaysia
4. Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
5. Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Adolescent, Pregnancy, Risk factors, Public health, Behavior
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.3):341-348
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pregnant adolescents have been shown to have a higher incidence of health and non-health-related complications
that affect both mothers and infants. These include increased risk of pregnancy-related diseases such as anemia and
pre-eclampsia, preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as other social consequences such as educational and
financial difficulties. This mini review evaluates selected articles which explain the attitudes, knowledge, behavior
and other risk factors associated with pregnancy among adolescents in developing countries. It also revealed that
inadequate knowledge among adolescents about reproductive and sexual health, other social, cultural and peer
influences, parenting values, and poor financial and educational status were factors that contribute to adolescent
pregnancy. Likewise, a lack of support from parents, educators and healthcare workers had negative impacts on
healthy sexual behavior among adolescents, which may ultimately lead to adolescent pregnancy. We conclude that
the factors discussed in this review need to be evaluated and taken into consideration by policymakers and healthcare workers when formulating strategies to prevent pregnancies among adolescents.
- Full text:11.2023my1544.pdf
