Obstetric outcome of teenage pregnancy in northwestern Ethiopia

Objective: To investigate and compare the difference in pregnancy outcome in teenage pregnancies and pregnancy in an older age group. Design: A cross sectional observational study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gondar College of Medical Sciences (GCMS) Hospital. Subjects: All teenage pregnant women and older pregnant women who delivered in the hospital over one year period were evaluated. Main outcome measures: Antenatal care (ANC) attendance, pregnancy induced hypertension, cephalo-pelvic-disproportion (CPD), low birthweight (LBW), prolonged labour, preterm delivery, assisted delivery, stillbirth and low Apgar score. Results: Mean age of teenagers and older age group was 17.6 ± 1 and 28.6 ± 5.7 years, respectively. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the following variables when teenagers were compared to the older age group: ANC attendance 60.9% versus 74.8%; weight less than 50 kg. 40% versus 18.9%; height less than 150 cms 21.2% versus 7.3%; CPD 11.8% versus 2.1%; prolonged labour 9.2% versus 5.6%; delayed second stage 18.3% versus 4.4%; preterm delivery 21.8% versus 11.3%; assisted delivery 21.8% versus 9.3% and LBW 27% versus 10%. No significant difference was observed in the mean Apgar score and stillbirth rate in the two groups. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse outcome; and teenagers perform poorly in labour and delivery. We recommend the initiation of a programme which should create a means of easily reaching the adolescent to promote family life education, contraception, counselling and education related to early marriage.