Adolescent or teenage
pregnancy is pregnancy in under the age of 20.
Adolescent pregnancies occur in most parts of the world but a higher percentage are in developing countries.
The average adolescent pregnancy and birth rate in middle-income countries is more than twice as high as that in high-income countries, with the rate in low-income countries being five times as high.
The average adolescent pregnancy and birth rate in middle-income countries is more than twice as high as that in high-income countries, with the rate in low-income countries being five times as high.
Note: a girl can become
pregnant from sexual intercourse after she has begun to ovulate which can be
before menarche, but usually occurs after the start of her periods.
pregnant from sexual intercourse after she has begun to ovulate which can be
before menarche, but usually occurs after the start of her periods.
Half
of all adolescent births occur in just seven countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and the United States
(WHO, 2016)
of all adolescent births occur in just seven countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and the United States
(WHO, 2016)
Risks associated
with adolescent pregnancy include:
with adolescent pregnancy include:
- ·
Low
Birth Weight - ·
Premature
Labor - ·
Anemia - ·
Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia - ·
Obstructed
Labour - ·
UGF
(Uro-Genital Fistulas) - ·
Post-Partum
Haemorrhage - ·
Depression
Adolescent pregnancies can be reduced with education where both the individual and her family are made aware of the health and social implications.
Michael Akaka, 2016. Adolescent Pregnancy. ©Knightmode
Michael Akaka, 2016. Adolescent Pregnancy. ©Knightmode