Open AccessAdolescent motherhood in Mozambique. Consequences for pregnant women and newborns
Author(s) -
Nieves Jaén-Sánchez,
Gloria González-Azpeitia,
Pedro Saavedra Santana,
Esther Saavedra-Sanjuán,
Aniceto-Alberto Manguiza,
Nicholas Manwere,
Cristina Carranza-Rodríguez,
José Luís Pérez-Arellano,
Lluís SerraMajem
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0233985
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , reproductive health , fertility , teenage pregnancy , public health , body mass index , multivariate analysis , cross sectional study , population , episiotomy , obstetrics , demography , family planning , pediatrics , environmental health , nursing , genetics , pathology , sociology , biology , research methodology
In sub-Saharan Mozambique, high adolescent fertility rates are a significant public health problem. Understanding the consequences of teenage pregnancies facilitates effective strategies for improving the quality of care of both mother and the newborn. Aims To identify the factors associated with adolescent motherhood in Tete (Mozambique). Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 821 pregnant women (255 teenagers) admitted to the general maternity ward of the Provincial Hospital between March and October 2016. The survey included clinical data of the mother and newborn. Results The overall prevalence of adolescent deliveries was 31.8% (95% CI 27.9% - 34.2%). Multivariate analysis showed that independent factors associated with teenage motherhood were: number of pregnancies (OR 0.066; 95% CI 0.040–0.110), pregnancy follow-up (OR 0.29; CI 0.173–0.488) and previous abortions (OR 4.419; 95% CI 1.931–10.112). When the age of the mother was analysed as a continuous variable, positively associated factors were body mass index, arterial hypertension, HIV infection, previous abortions, pregnancy follow-up, and the weight of the newborn. Negatively associated factors were episiotomy and respiratory distress in the newborn. Conclusion Teenage motherhood is a serious public health problem in Mozambique. Intensive sexual and reproductive health planning for adolescents is needed.