Teenage Pregnancy: A Product of Various Social and Health Factors.

A Context: The practice of child marriage in rural India is deeply rooted in cultural values. Despite laws that prohibit child marriage, the practice is still extremely prevalent in many regions. Most of adolescent fertility occurs within marriage. High adolescent fertility contributes to an elevated risk of maternal death and disability especially in adolescent girls Objectives: To find out prevalence of teenage pregnancy, its socio-demographic relationship and some health problems associated with teenage pregnancy in rural area. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study was carried out in three primary health centres of Pune District in Maharashtra state. Methods and Material: Total number of 547 who consented to participate were included in the study. Questions on demographic profile, obstetric history were asked. The antenatal mothers were clinically examined and investigated for any health problems. Statistical analysis used: Chi square test for linear trend. Results: There were 218(39.9%) teenagers. Most of the teenagers were less educated, housewives. Majority of the teenagers were pregnant for the first time but repeated pregnancies and abortions were also observed. The health problems like anemia, hypertension and edema feet were significantly high in adolescent pregnant girls in our study. Conclusions: Teenage pregnancies put mothers at high-risks to many health-related complications thereby affecting the maternal mortality.

Aspectos psicosociales en universitarias embarazadas / Psychosocial aspects regarding pregnant university students

Objetivo Determinar los aspectos psicosociales relacionados con el embarazo en estudiantes universitarias. Metodología A partir de la revisión de archivos y el muestreo intencional, se seleccionaron 68 estudiantes que tuvieron un embarazo adolescente. Mediante relatos de vida y entrevistas en profundidad se analizan las implicaciones del embarazo en la condición personal, familiar y académica. Resultados Durante el primer trimestre de embarazo, se generan crisis y ajustes en la estructura familiar y afectiva que culminan en la aceptación de la maternidad como proyecto de vida reproduciendo el estereotipo de madresolterismo. El acompañamiento de la pareja se da durante los primeros meses, seguido por abandono. Aunque prejuiciado, el apoyo de la comunidad universitaria incide en el interés por el desarrollo personal, académico y del bebé. Los servicios ofertados por la universidad, son poco utilizados aunque reconocen su importancia. Se consultan referentes especializados que asustan por su énfasis patológico, lo que conduce a informarse con fuentes familiares. La madre de la gestante es quién apoya permanentemente a su hija; no así el padre con quien, se presentan conflictos permanentes. Discusión Formar estudiantes integrales requiere programas que preparen responsablemente para la maternidad y paternidad. La prevención se traduce como promoción de vínculos afectivos saludables y el fortalecimiento en la comunicación familiar y social.

Objective Determining the subjective construction of psychosocial factors affecting pregnancy in adolescents in a sample of students. Methodology 68 students who had become pregnant during their adolescence were selected after reviewing their files and sampling by logical criteria. The implications of pregnancy on personal, family and academic conditions were analysed by means of life stories and in-depth interviews. Results Crises and adjustments appeared in family and affective structure during the first trimester of pregnancy which culminated in them accepting motherhood as part of their life project, thereby reproducing the single-mother stereotype. Accompaniment of the pair occurred mainly during the first months, followed by abandonment. Although prejudiced, the university community's support had a bearing on interest in personal and academic development and in the baby. Specialised referents were consulted which scared the girls due to their pathological emphasis, thereby leading to them consulting family sources. The pregnant girls' mothers provided ongoing support for their daughters; this was not true of the fathers with whom constant conflict was presented. The services offered by the university were little used even though their importance was recognised. Conclusions Forming integral students require programmes preparing students to be responsible for motherhood and fatherhood. Prevention was conveyed as promoting healthy affective links and strengthening family and social communication.

Identificación de factores de riesgo y factores protectores del embarazo en adolescentes de la novena región / Identification of risk factors and protective factors of pregnancy in adolescents of the ninth region

Objetivo: Comprender los factores relacionados con el embarazo no planificado en las adolescentes, desde la perspectiva de las escolares nuligestas.Método: Estudio cualitativo de casos, en mujeres entre 15 y 19 años, pertenecientes a dos establecimientos educacionales, con altos índices de embarazo, en la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. Se realizaron cuatro grupos focales, constituidos por 14 adolescentes no embarazadas,identificándose factores en las dimensiones individuales, familiares y sociales. Para el análisis se utilizó el programa ATLAS-ti 4,1. Se trianguló por investigador en la ejecución del estudio y análisis de los datos. Resultados: En la dimensión individual aparecen como relevantes factores de riesgo que favorecen el embarazo (FFE): "amor romántico", no uso de métodos anticonceptivos, baja autoestima, irresponsabilidad masculina y falta de conocimiento en sexualidad. En la dimensión familiar destacan los factores: límite estrecho familiar y negligencia paterna. Surgen factores percibidos por las adolescentes como protectoras del embarazo no planificado (FPE), en la dimensión individual destacan: capacidad reflexiva y proyecto de vida; en la dimensión familiar: "familia cuidadora" y límites claros; y en la dimensión social la categoría o factor con mayor peso es "sanción social". Conclusiones: Entre los hallazgos destacan como FFE relevantes el "amor romántico" y los límites polares familiares. Como FPE, la capacidad de reflexión y "familia cuidadora". Estos elementos debieran ser considerados en la prevención del embarazo no planificado en población adolescente.

Objective: To identify and understand factors associated to pregnancy in adolescents under the perspective of the never pregnant adolescent. Methods: Qualitative study undergone on women 15 to 19 years of age. School based sample of women were drawn from 2 schools chosen due to their high pregnancy rate. Four focus groups were created and each one was composed by 14 eligible women. Factors associated to individuals, to family, and to social environment were studied. Triangulation was performed during the study conduction and data analysis. Analysis was done by using ATLAS-ti 4.1. Results: Factors which appear to be favouring pregnancy at the individuals were: "romantic love", no use of contraceptives, low self esteem, male irresponsibility, lack of knowledge in sexuality. At the family level, the factors are: the permit's restriction and paternal negligence. Factors which help in avoiding pregnancy in adolescents at the individual level are: subject's reflexive capacity and project of life. At the family level, protective family and clearly defined limits are the ones which help preventing pregnancy. Social punishment is the main social factor associated. Conclusions: The view of the never pregnant adolescent and the multilevel model used in the focus group will allow decision makers to design strategies at the subject, family and social levels to help in reducing the unwanted pregnancy in adolescents. Main factors here identified are: "romantic love", permit`s restriction, paternal negligence as favouring pregnancy; reflexive capacity and protective family are the ones shown as preventives.