ABSTRACT
Early marriage and subsequent pregnancy is desired in Pakistan and is generally considered a blessing but it also carries some risks to the mother and resultant product. To determine the frequency of teenage pregnancy and complications it imposes on teenage mother when compared with non teenage mothers. It is a descriptive comparative study. A review of hospital record from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008 was carried out to compare the obstetric complications in 212 teenage pregnant mothers with that of 4052 non teenage mothers [Mothers =20 years of age] Prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 4.97% of the total pregnancies occurring at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital during the study period. 73.11% of all teenage mothers were primigravida and 48. 58% followed the proper antenatal care. Teenage pregnant mothers had significantly increased incidence of anemia, preterm labor, pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia and decreased incidence of glucose tolerance as compared to non teenage mothers. Risks of ante partum hemorrhage [APH], post partum hemorrhage [PPH] and placenta previa were found similar in the two groups. The results indicated that the risks of complications of pregnancy like anemia, preterm labor, pregnancy induced hypertension and pre eclampsia were more in teenage pregnant mothers. This requires increased need of Pakistani communities to review and consider the correct age marriage, so that the health of pregnant mothers can be protected. A healthy mother is necessary to bring up a healthy child
ABSTRACT
To determine the effect of age of introduction and the type of weaning foods used, on the nutritional status of children under three years of age. Cross-sectional, community-based study. The study was conducted in rural areas of District Malir in Karachi, Pakistan, comprising of 900 villages spread over 1200 square kilometer, from November 2000 to April 2001. Patients and Three hundred and fifty-nine children under 3 years were included in the study. Based on the age of commencement of weaning, the children were categorized as children weaned at appropriate and inappropriate age. For the type of weaning foods, the children were grouped into two categories based on the nature of food items. Children for whom weaning was started at the recommended age of 4-6 months were found to be significantly less malnourished on anthropometric measurements as compared to the other set in which weaning was started at an earlier or later age. Significant statistical difference was noted in the children weaned on nutritious home-made items compared to children having commercial foods. Malnutrition is of multi-faceted origin beyond only poverty and food shortage. Inappropriate feeding practices can result in growth faltering as noted in the present study. Programmes should be launched for education of mothers regarding weaning practices