RESUMO
AIM: The aim was to assess adolescent satisfaction with childbirth and compare it with that of adult women. METHODS: An observational comparative study was conducted during the period of October 2016 and April 2017 in a public maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The population included 50 adolescents (14-19 years) and 51 adults (20-35 years) mothers in post-partum after a term live birth. Maternal satisfaction was assessed by the North Bristol modified Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale questionnaire with 18 items divided into five subscales (self, partner, baby, physician and overall) and two items on birth experience. Each item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale and a total score was calculated. The main outcome measure was a total score on questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean maternal age of adolescents was 18 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 11-25) and for adults, 28.3 years (95% CI 26.1-30.7). Primiparity was more common among adolescents than adults (92% vs 43.1%, P < 0.001). The median maternal satisfaction score of adolescents (88; 95% CI 83-90) was lower than that of adult women (90; 95% CI 87-93, P = 0.046). Adolescents also scored lower than adult women on the following subscales: satisfaction with baby (median 14 vs 15, P = 0.004) and satisfaction concerning care provided by doctors/midwives (median 33 vs 35, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Adolescents were statistically less satisfied with their childbirth experience. More dissatisfaction was seen among them specifically concerning their baby and the care provided by doctors/midwives. This shows that different strategies need to be developed for this specific group of women.
