Teenage pregnancy and family characteristics as seen among teenagers presenting at two hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: There has been increase in the incidence of teenage pregnancy and abortion globally. However, there are limited studies on the hospital prevalence and family characteristics of the affected teenagers' family characteristics.

Objective: To determine the hospital prevalence of teenage pregnancy and the family characteristics of the pregnant teenagers.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 260 teenagers who presented with pregnancy and post-abortion pregnancy-related complications consecutively at Adeoyo Maternity and Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospitals (OCH) in Ibadan from April 2011-May 2012 were interviewed. The . semi -structured questionnaire used had questions on socio-demographic characteristics of the teenagers and their family as well as sexual history. In addition, it included the validated questions on family functionality using Family APGAR scale. The family functionality was dichotomized into dysfunctional (0-6) and functional (7-10). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and, Chi-square testand Student t-test. Level of significance was set at 5%. The denominator was the total females

Results: The hospital prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 21.7%. Mean age of the 260 teenagers who presented with pregnancy or post-abortion pregnancy–related complications was 18±0.5years. Two hundred and thirty six teenagers (90.8%) presented with pregnancy while 24 (9.2%) presented with post abortion complications. One hundred and fifty-four (59.2%) had senior secondary school education (SSE).. One hundred and nine (41.9%) of the teenagers' fathers had SSEsecondary school education followed by 66 (25.4%) with no formal education;, while 115 (44.2%) of the teenagers' mothers had SSEsenior secondary education, with 61 (23.5%) without formal education. One hundred and thirty one (50.4%) had fathers who were semi-skilled, 102 (39.2%) unskilled and 27 (10.4%) were skilled. While 196 (75.4%) of the teenagers' mothers were unskilled, 44 (16.9%) semi-skilled and 20 (7.7%) were skilled. Eighty three (31.9%) reported that their parents engaged in physical fight. Fifty seven (21.9%) had family members who drank alcohol. Higher proportion (50.0%) of those who presented post abortion had family members who drank alcohol compared with 19.1% of those who presented with pregnancy (χ² =12.177, p <0.001X²…;p=..). One hundred and forty (53.8%) of the teenagers reported that their parents had no time for them. Higher proportion (79.2%) of those who presented post abortion reported that their parents had no time for them compared with (51.3%) who presented with pregnancy (χ² =6.821, p <0.009X²…;p=..). The family functionality was perceived to be dysfunctional by 75.4%. . Higher proportion (50.0%) of those who presented post abortion had family members who drank alcohol compared with 19.1% of those who presented with pregnancy. One hundred and forty (53.8%) of the teenagers reported that their parents had no time for them. Higher proportion (79.2%) of those who presented post abortion reported that their parents had no time for them compared with (51.3%) who presented with pregnancy. Comparing the perceived family functionality before pregnancy and family functionality during pregnancy, the family functionality worsened.

Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is still a public health problem in this environment. Interventions to encouraging The Ffemale education and counselling on positive family lifestyle and relationship are is very important to reduce teenage pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications.

Keywords: Teenager, Teenage pregnancy, Family, Hospital