# Teenage Pregnancy and Its Adverse Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes at Lemlem Karl Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018

Authors: Ayele Mamo Abebe; Girma Wogie Fitie; Desalegn Abebaw Jember; Mihretab Mehari Reda; Getu Engida Wake
Journal: BioMed Research International
 (2020)

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## Abstract

Introduction. One of the major public health issues across the whole world these days is teenage pregnancy which is defined as being pregnant in the age ranging from 13–19 years. About 11% of all births which occurred worldwide accounted for girls aged 15 to 19 years. From these, 95% teenage deliveries occur in low- and middle-income countries. World health 2014 statistics show that complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally. The aim of this study was to determine adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy among deliveries at Lemlem Karl General Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018. Result. This study result showed that 17.5% of the teenagers and 6.8% of the adults deliver low birth weight neonates. From the total teenage mothers, about thirty-five (11.3%) of them had developed pregnancy-induced hypertension, whereas about thirteen (4.2%) of adults develop pregnancy-induced hypertension. Regarding cesarean delivery, forty (12.9%) of those teenage mothers deliver by a cesarean section while 58 (18%) of the adult mothers deliver by cesarean delivery. Teenage pregnancy was significantly associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, a cesarean delivery (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.90), episiotomy (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI, 1.25–3.39), and low birth weight (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.13–4.36), and premature delivery were 2.87 (1.49–5.52). This study shows that adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes were significantly associated with teenagers than adult mothers. Therefore, giving health education on focused ANC is very important to bring change to the teenager at this study area.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

One of the major public health issues across the whole world is teenage pregnancy which is defined as pregnancy in girls aged 13–19 years [1, 2]. According to WHO, seven countries mainly constitute for half of all adolescent births, namely, Bangladesh, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, and the United States of America [1, 3, 4].Determinants of teenage pregnancy in a study employed in developing countries included the following reasons as attributing factors for teenage pregnancy; lack of knowledge on sexuality education, ineffective utilization of modern contraceptives, cultural obedience, socioeconomic dependence of females on males, and peer influence [5–7].Teenage pregnancy is greatly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like obstructed labor, pre-eclampsia, anemia, operative deliveries, puerperal endometritis, postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight, preterm delivery, and perinatal death [8–15].Studies conducted in North India and Turkey outlined that babies of adolescent mothers were 1.65 and 4.94 times more likely to be born prematurely and face intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), respectively [16, 17].Studies conducted in Taiwan, USA, and Korea showed that teenagers were 1.58, 1.36, and 1.16 times more likely to have preterm delivery than the adults, respectively [18–20]. A study in Nepal showed that low birth weight in teenagers and adults was 24% vs. 9% (P=0.013) [21]. Another study was conducted in Ankara in a referral hospital revealed that teenagers deliver 4.14 times more likely prematurely than adults [22].A study conducted in Cameron revealed that subjects with teenage pregnancy were 1.94 and 1.46 times more likely to deliver very low birth weight and low birth weight neonates than adults [23]. Studies showed that a significantly higher rate of cesarean delivery was found among adult mothers compared with teenage mothers [24, 25]. In a study conducted in Sweden, teenagers were 30% less likely to develop postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and 63% less probable to be complicated by Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) secondary to placenta Previa [26]. As a study in Finland showed, teenagers are 1.2 and 3.2 times more likely to develop preeclampsia and eclampsia than adults [27]. Even though a lot has been said about teenage pregnancy and its associated factors and some deals about the outcomes across the globe, as far as the investigator’s knowledge, there are limited published researches on adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia. In addition, there are three studies on teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Ethiopia. But these studies had not touched about the negative outcome of the teenage pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess teenage pregnancy and its adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes at Lemlem Karl hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018.


## 2. Methods and Materials

### 2.1. Study Area and Study Period

This retrospective cohort study design was conducted at Lemlem Karl general hospital which is found at Maychew town, southern zone of Tigray regional state, northern Ethiopia, at a distance of 662 km from Addis Ababa to the North. Maychew town has a total population of 36,925 and has four kebeles which are located in the southern part of Tigray but in the northern part of Ethiopia [28]. The study was conducted from November 2017 to December 2017.


### 2.2. Sample Size

The sample size was calculated using the double population proportion formula considering an assumption of 95% confidence level, power 80%, the proportion of low birth weight in teenage pregnancy is 9.5%, and adult pregnancy is 3.6% taken from a study conducted in Cameron [29], and then using Epi info statistical software, the final sample size calculated gives 618 (309 teenagers and 309 adults) with 1 : 1 ratio. Six hundred and eighteen is the highest sample size that the principal investigator calculated for different outcome variables by using the Epi info statistical software (Table 1).Table 1
Sample size calculated by Epi info statistical software from different outcome variables based on their proportion for teenagers and adult mothers (in 1 : 1 ratio of teenage and adult), 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Proportion of outcomes in exposed
Proportion of outcomes in nonexposed
OR
Sample
Reference
Cesarean section
18.5
9.5
1.99
Exposed 255
Ikeako et al. [30]
Nonexposed 255
Total510
Low birth weight
9.5
3.6
2.81
Exposed 309
Egbe et al. [29]
Nonexposed 309
Total618
Preterm
20
7
3.32
Exposed 123
Tripathi and Sherchand [21]
Nonexposed 123
Total246


### 2.3. Sampling Technique

There were a total of 4,683 deliveries from September 2014 to September 2017 GC. Of these, 932 and 3,089 were teenagers and adult deliveries, respectively. Records were reviewed from the delivery registration book of the obstetrics ward and registration logbook used as a sampling frame. Then, the investigator would have two differentK values for teenagers and for adults. Calculating the K (N/n = 932/309 ≈ 3), value for teenagers where “N” is total delivered teenage mothers admitted in the ward during the three years period and “n” is calculated sample size for teenagers, then study cards were selected in every 3rd interval from the registration book of teenager’s in the three years record. Similarly, the investigator calculate the K value for the adults, the K (N/n = 3089/309 ≈ 10), value for adults where “N” is total delivered adult mothers admitted in the ward during the three years period, and “n” is calculated sample size for adults, and then study cards were selected in every 10th interval from the registration book of adults in the three years period. The first study card/chart was selected randomly for both teenagers and adults from their own frame.


### 2.4. Data Collection Tools and Procedures

Data were collected from the patients/clients card by reviewing retrospectively from the year 2014–2017 GC. One master in clinical midwifery student, two BSc midwifery professionals, and two diploma midwifery professionals were oriented by the principal investigator about the purpose of the study and how to collect the data, as well as how to fill the questionnaire properly.


### 2.5. Data Quality Assurance

A checklist was prepared in English language by the principal investigator and reviewed by the advisors. The checklist was pretested in 31 (5%) of the mothers’ charts at Lemlem Karl general hospital before going to the actual data collection. The collected data was checked by the supervisor and principal investigator daily for completeness.


### 2.6. Data Analysis Procedure

The data were coded, entered, cleaned with Epi info version 3.5.1, and analyzed by SPSS version 20. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables having aP value less than or equal to 0.05 were considered to have a statistically significant association with the dependent variable, and the result was presented with different tables and graph.


## 2.1. Study Area and Study Period

This retrospective cohort study design was conducted at Lemlem Karl general hospital which is found at Maychew town, southern zone of Tigray regional state, northern Ethiopia, at a distance of 662 km from Addis Ababa to the North. Maychew town has a total population of 36,925 and has four kebeles which are located in the southern part of Tigray but in the northern part of Ethiopia [28]. The study was conducted from November 2017 to December 2017.


## 2.2. Sample Size

The sample size was calculated using the double population proportion formula considering an assumption of 95% confidence level, power 80%, the proportion of low birth weight in teenage pregnancy is 9.5%, and adult pregnancy is 3.6% taken from a study conducted in Cameron [29], and then using Epi info statistical software, the final sample size calculated gives 618 (309 teenagers and 309 adults) with 1 : 1 ratio. Six hundred and eighteen is the highest sample size that the principal investigator calculated for different outcome variables by using the Epi info statistical software (Table 1).Table 1
Sample size calculated by Epi info statistical software from different outcome variables based on their proportion for teenagers and adult mothers (in 1 : 1 ratio of teenage and adult), 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Proportion of outcomes in exposed
Proportion of outcomes in nonexposed
OR
Sample
Reference
Cesarean section
18.5
9.5
1.99
Exposed 255
Ikeako et al. [30]
Nonexposed 255
Total510
Low birth weight
9.5
3.6
2.81
Exposed 309
Egbe et al. [29]
Nonexposed 309
Total618
Preterm
20
7
3.32
Exposed 123
Tripathi and Sherchand [21]
Nonexposed 123
Total246


## 2.3. Sampling Technique

There were a total of 4,683 deliveries from September 2014 to September 2017 GC. Of these, 932 and 3,089 were teenagers and adult deliveries, respectively. Records were reviewed from the delivery registration book of the obstetrics ward and registration logbook used as a sampling frame. Then, the investigator would have two differentK values for teenagers and for adults. Calculating the K (N/n = 932/309 ≈ 3), value for teenagers where “N” is total delivered teenage mothers admitted in the ward during the three years period and “n” is calculated sample size for teenagers, then study cards were selected in every 3rd interval from the registration book of teenager’s in the three years record. Similarly, the investigator calculate the K value for the adults, the K (N/n = 3089/309 ≈ 10), value for adults where “N” is total delivered adult mothers admitted in the ward during the three years period, and “n” is calculated sample size for adults, and then study cards were selected in every 10th interval from the registration book of adults in the three years period. The first study card/chart was selected randomly for both teenagers and adults from their own frame.


## 2.4. Data Collection Tools and Procedures

Data were collected from the patients/clients card by reviewing retrospectively from the year 2014–2017 GC. One master in clinical midwifery student, two BSc midwifery professionals, and two diploma midwifery professionals were oriented by the principal investigator about the purpose of the study and how to collect the data, as well as how to fill the questionnaire properly.


## 2.5. Data Quality Assurance

A checklist was prepared in English language by the principal investigator and reviewed by the advisors. The checklist was pretested in 31 (5%) of the mothers’ charts at Lemlem Karl general hospital before going to the actual data collection. The collected data was checked by the supervisor and principal investigator daily for completeness.


## 2.6. Data Analysis Procedure

The data were coded, entered, cleaned with Epi info version 3.5.1, and analyzed by SPSS version 20. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables having aP value less than or equal to 0.05 were considered to have a statistically significant association with the dependent variable, and the result was presented with different tables and graph.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Sociodemographic Information of Teenage and Adult Mothers

A total of 618 charts of women who delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital were reviewed, who met the eligibility criteria of this study. Of these, 309 were charts of teenage while the rest were adult women charts. The median age of the study population was 21, the 75th percentile was 27 years, and 25th was 19. So, IQR = 27–19, 50% of the study populations were found in the age range of 19–27 years. The majority of them from both age groups were unemployed which was about 89% and 71.8% for teenagers and adults, respectively.Regarding the obstetric characteristics, more than three-quarters of teenagers 260 (84.1%) and about 80 (25.9%) of adults were primigravida. Concerning to antenatal care visits, more than three-quarters of the study populations had at least one antenatal care (ANC) visits during their current pregnancy time, and teenagers had lower ANC follow-up than adults, 77.3% and 83.2%, respectively (Table2).Table 2
Sociodemographic information of teenage and adult mothers in Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
Residence
Urban
103 (33.3)
196 (63.4)
299 (48.4)
Rural
206 (66.7)
113 (36.6)
319 (51.6)
Employment
Unemployed
275 (89.0)
222 (71.8)
497 (80.4)
Employed
34 (11.0)
87 (28.2)
121 (19.6)
Marital status
Married
278 (90.0)
297 (96.1)
575 (93.0)
Single
31 (10.0)
12 (3.9)
43 (7.0)
Gravidity
Multigravida
49 (15.9)
229 (74.1)
278 (45.0)
Primigravida
260 (84.1)
80 (25.9)
340 (55.0)
ANC
Yes
239 (77.3)
257 (83.2)
496 (80.3)
No
70 (22.7)
529 (16.8)
122 (19.7)


### 3.2. Obstetric Outcomes of Teenage and Adult Mothers at Lemlem Karl General Hospital

From the total teenage mothers, about thirty-five (11.3%) of them had to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension, whereas about thirteen (4.2%) of adults developed pregnancy-induced hypertension.Episiotomy was performed for more than one-quarter of the teenager’s delivery and about twelve percent of adult delivery. In relation to the gestational age at delivery, 14 (4.5%) and 29 (9.4%) of the teenage and adult had post-term delivery, respectively (Table3).Table 3
Obstetric outcomes of teenage and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
PIH
No
274 (88.7)
296 (95.8)
570 (92.2)
Yes
35 (11.3)
13 (4.2)
48 (7.8)
Cesarean delivery
No
269 (87.1)
251 (81.2)
520 (84.1)
Yes
40 (12.9)
58 (18.8)
98 (15.9)
Instrumental delivery
No
283 (91.6)
282 (91.2)
565 (91.4)
Yes
26 (8.4)
27 (8.8)
53 (8.6)
PPH
No
297 (96.2)
292 (94.5)
593 (96.0)
Yes
12 (3.8)
17 (5.5)
25 (4.0)
APH
No
298 (96.4)
291 (94.2)
589 (95.3)
Yes
11 (3.6)
18 (5.8)
29 (4.7)
Perineal tear
No
286 (92.6)
293 (94.8)
579 (93.7)
Yes
23 (7.4)
16 (5.2)
39 (6.3)
Post-term delivery
No
295 (95.5)
280 (90.6)
575 (93.0)
Yes
14 (4.5)
29 (9.4)
43 (7.0)
Episiotomy
No
214 (69.3)
272 (88.0)
486 (78.6)
Yes
95 (30.7)
37 (12.0)
132 (21.4)


### 3.3. Perinatal Outcomes of Teenage and Adult Mothers at Lemlem Karl General Hospital

Concerning to adverse perinatal outcomes of teenage delivery, about 12.9% delivered prematurely whereas in adult-only, about 4.5% delivered prematurely. Regarding birth weight of the newborn, teenagers deliver low birth weight neonates more than double of the adult deliveries (Table4).Table 4
Perinatal outcomes of teenage and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
Preterm delivery
No
269 (87.1)
295 (95.5)
564 (91.3)
Yes
40 (12.9)
14 (4.5)
54 (8.7)
Low birth weight
No
255 (82.5)
288 (93.2)
543 (87.9)
Yes
54 (17.5)
21 (6.8)
74 (12.1)
Still birth/IUFD
No
290 (93.9)
299 (96.8)
589 (95.3)
Yes
19 (6.1)
10 (3.2)
29 (4.7)
SNC
No
276 (89.3)
298 (96.4)
574 (92.9)
Yes
33 (10.7)
11 (3.6)
44 (7.1)
Fetal distress
No
294 (95.1)
296 (95.8)
590 (95.5)
Yes
15 (4.9)
13 (4.2)
28 (4.5)


### 3.4. Association of Adverse Obstetric Outcomes with Maternal Age

Teenagers developed pregnancy-induced hypertension 2.29 times more likely than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.29; 95% CI, 1.01–5.19). Teenagers were 43% less likely to undergo cesarean delivery than the adult mothers (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.90). Teenagers were 2.01 times more likely to have episiotomy than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI, 1.25–3.39). The probability of teenagers to deliver post-term was 31.5% (OR: 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.89) (Table5).Table 5
Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the adverse obstetrical outcomes of teenagers and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Category
Obstetric outcomes PIH
COR (95% CI)
AOR (95% CI)
P value
YesN (%)
NoN (%)
Age
Teenage
35 (72.9)
274 (48.1)
2.91 (1.51–5.61)
2.29 (1.01–5.19)
0.048
Adult
13 (27.1)
296 (51.9)
1
1
Residence
Rural
32 (66.7)
287 (50.4)
1.97 (1.06–3.67)
1.51 (0.79–2.88)
0.217
Urban
16 (33.3)
283 (49.6)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
34 (70.8)
306 (53.7)
2.1 (1.10–3.99)
1.18 (0.54–2.59)
0.69
Multigravida
14 (29.2)
264 (46.3)
1
1
ANC
No
15 (31.2)
107 (18.8)
0.51 (0.27–0.97)
0.56 (0.29–1.07)
0.079
Yes
33 (68.8)
463 (81.2)
1
1
Cesarean delivery
Age
Teenage
40 (40.8)
269 (51.7)
0.64 (0.415–0.997)
0.57 (0.36–0.90)
0.016∗
Adult
58 (59.2)
251 (48.3)
1
1
Residence
Rural
58 (59.2)
261 (50.2)
1.5 (0.970–2.319)
1.78 (1.12–2.82)
0.014
Urban
40 (40.8)
259 (49.8)
1
1
Instrumental delivery
Age
Teenage
26 (49.1)
283 (50.1)
0.96 (0.55–1.69)
—
0.886
Adult
27 (50.9)
282 (49.9)
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
41 (78.8)
299 (52.8)
3.040 (1.564–5.905)
3.004 (1.544–5.843)
0.001
Multigravida
11 (21.2)
267 (47.2)
1
1
Episiotomy
Age
Teenage
95 (72)
214 (44)
3.26 (1.39–3.33)
2.01 (1.25–3.39)
0.004∗
Adult
37 (28)
272 (56)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
85 (79.4)
255 (49.9)
2.88 (2.35–6.39)
2.35 (1.39–3.96)
0.001
Multigravida
22 (20.6)
256 (50)
1
1
Postpartum hemorrhage
Age
Teenage
12 (41.4)
297 (50.4)
0.69 (0.33–1.48)
—
0.96
Adult
17 (68)
292 (49.2)
1
APH
Age
Teenage
11 (37.9)
298 (50.6)
0.597 (0.28–1.29)
0.82 (0.31–2.2)
0.698
Adult
18 (62.1)
291 (49.4)
1
Residence
Rural
21 (72.4)
298 (50.6)
2.56 (1.12–5.9)
3.1 (1.32–7.44)
0.009
Urban
8 (27.6)
291 (49.4)
1
1
Gravidity
Multigravida
20 (69)
258 (43.8)
1
1
Primigravida
9 (31%)
331 (56.2)
0.35 (0.16–0.78)
0.34 (0.125–0.918)
0.033
Perennial tear
Age
Teenage
23 (59)
286 (49.4)
1.47 (0.762.85)
—
0.249
Adult
16 (41)
293 (50.6)
1
Post-term delivery
Age
Teenage
14 (32.6)
295 (51.3)
0.46 (0.24–0.89)
0.02
Adult
29 (67.4)
280 (48.7)
1


### 3.5. Association of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes with Maternal Age

Adverse perinatal outcomes revealed that teenage mothers were 2.87 times more likely to deliver prematurely than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.87; 95% CI, 1.49–5.52). Chance of giving low birth weight was more than double in teenagers as compared with the adult age group mothers (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.13–4.36). A severe neonatal condition was also more pronounced in teenage groups than the adults which was about 2.98 times more likely (AOR: 2.98; 95% CI, 1.25–7.14) (Table6).Table 6
Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the adverse perinatal outcomes of teenagers and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Category
Perinatal outcomes of preterm delivery
COR (95% CI)
AOR (95% CI)
P value
YesN (%)
NoN (%)
Age
Teenage
40 (74.1)
269 (47.7)
3.13 (1.67–5.89)
2.87 (1.49–5.52)
0.002∗
Adult
14 (25.9)
295 (51.3)
1
1
Residence
Rural
35 (64.8)
284 (50.4)
1.8 (1.04–3.25)
1.35 (0.74–2.49
0.33
Urban
19 (35.2)
280 (49.6)
1
1
APH
Yes
7 (13)
22 (3.9)
3.67 (1.49–9.03)
4.9 (1.9–12.9)
0.001
No
47 (87)
542 (95.1)
1
1
PIH
Yes
11 (20.4)
37 (6.6)
3.64 (1.74–7.65)
3.02 (1.39–6.6)
0.005
No
43 (79.6)
527 (93.4)
1
1
Low birth weight
Age
Teenage
54 (72)
255 (47)
2.91 (1.71–4.94)
2.22 (1.13–4.36)
0.021∗
Adult
21 (28)
288 (53)
1
1
Residence
Rural
54 (73)
265 (48.7)
2.84 (1.66–4.88)
2.27 (1.29–3.97)
0.004
Urban
20 (27)
279 (51.3)
Gravidity
Primigravida
50 (67.6)
29 (53.3)
1.83 (1.09–3.05)
1.04 (0.55–1.97)
0.911
Multigravida
24 (32.4)
254 (46.7)
1
1
PIH
Yes
19 (25.3)
29 (5.3)
6.1 (3.23–11.66)
4.89 (2.53–9.52)
0.001
No
56 (74.7)
514 (94.7)
1
1
Still birth/IUFD
Age
Teenage
19 (65.5)
290 (49.2)
1.96 (0.89–4.28)
—
0.43
Adult
10 (34.5)
299 (50.8)
1
SNC
Age
Teenage
33 (75.0)
276 (48.1)
3.24 (1.606–6.534)
2.98 (1.25–7.14)
0.014∗
Adult
11 (25.0)
298 (51.9)
1
1
Residence
Rural
28 (70)
291 (50.3)
2 (1.10–4.10)
1.58 (0.797–3.12)
0.19
Urban
12 (30)
287 (49.7)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
30 (75)
310 (53.6)
1.83 (0.95–3.51)
0.92 (0.41–2.05)
0.837
Multigravida
10 (25)
268 (46.4)
1
1
PIH
Yes
41 (7)
7 (15.9)
2.46 (1.03–5.86)
1.59 (0.63–4.00)
0.326
No
533 (93)
37 (84.1
1
1
Fetal distress
Age
Teenage
15 (53.6)
294 (49.8)
1.16 (0.54–2.48)
—
0.699
Adult
13 (46.4)
296 (50.2)
1


## 3.1. Sociodemographic Information of Teenage and Adult Mothers

A total of 618 charts of women who delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital were reviewed, who met the eligibility criteria of this study. Of these, 309 were charts of teenage while the rest were adult women charts. The median age of the study population was 21, the 75th percentile was 27 years, and 25th was 19. So, IQR = 27–19, 50% of the study populations were found in the age range of 19–27 years. The majority of them from both age groups were unemployed which was about 89% and 71.8% for teenagers and adults, respectively.Regarding the obstetric characteristics, more than three-quarters of teenagers 260 (84.1%) and about 80 (25.9%) of adults were primigravida. Concerning to antenatal care visits, more than three-quarters of the study populations had at least one antenatal care (ANC) visits during their current pregnancy time, and teenagers had lower ANC follow-up than adults, 77.3% and 83.2%, respectively (Table2).Table 2
Sociodemographic information of teenage and adult mothers in Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
Residence
Urban
103 (33.3)
196 (63.4)
299 (48.4)
Rural
206 (66.7)
113 (36.6)
319 (51.6)
Employment
Unemployed
275 (89.0)
222 (71.8)
497 (80.4)
Employed
34 (11.0)
87 (28.2)
121 (19.6)
Marital status
Married
278 (90.0)
297 (96.1)
575 (93.0)
Single
31 (10.0)
12 (3.9)
43 (7.0)
Gravidity
Multigravida
49 (15.9)
229 (74.1)
278 (45.0)
Primigravida
260 (84.1)
80 (25.9)
340 (55.0)
ANC
Yes
239 (77.3)
257 (83.2)
496 (80.3)
No
70 (22.7)
529 (16.8)
122 (19.7)


## 3.2. Obstetric Outcomes of Teenage and Adult Mothers at Lemlem Karl General Hospital

From the total teenage mothers, about thirty-five (11.3%) of them had to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension, whereas about thirteen (4.2%) of adults developed pregnancy-induced hypertension.Episiotomy was performed for more than one-quarter of the teenager’s delivery and about twelve percent of adult delivery. In relation to the gestational age at delivery, 14 (4.5%) and 29 (9.4%) of the teenage and adult had post-term delivery, respectively (Table3).Table 3
Obstetric outcomes of teenage and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
PIH
No
274 (88.7)
296 (95.8)
570 (92.2)
Yes
35 (11.3)
13 (4.2)
48 (7.8)
Cesarean delivery
No
269 (87.1)
251 (81.2)
520 (84.1)
Yes
40 (12.9)
58 (18.8)
98 (15.9)
Instrumental delivery
No
283 (91.6)
282 (91.2)
565 (91.4)
Yes
26 (8.4)
27 (8.8)
53 (8.6)
PPH
No
297 (96.2)
292 (94.5)
593 (96.0)
Yes
12 (3.8)
17 (5.5)
25 (4.0)
APH
No
298 (96.4)
291 (94.2)
589 (95.3)
Yes
11 (3.6)
18 (5.8)
29 (4.7)
Perineal tear
No
286 (92.6)
293 (94.8)
579 (93.7)
Yes
23 (7.4)
16 (5.2)
39 (6.3)
Post-term delivery
No
295 (95.5)
280 (90.6)
575 (93.0)
Yes
14 (4.5)
29 (9.4)
43 (7.0)
Episiotomy
No
214 (69.3)
272 (88.0)
486 (78.6)
Yes
95 (30.7)
37 (12.0)
132 (21.4)


## 3.3. Perinatal Outcomes of Teenage and Adult Mothers at Lemlem Karl General Hospital

Concerning to adverse perinatal outcomes of teenage delivery, about 12.9% delivered prematurely whereas in adult-only, about 4.5% delivered prematurely. Regarding birth weight of the newborn, teenagers deliver low birth weight neonates more than double of the adult deliveries (Table4).Table 4
Perinatal outcomes of teenage and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Response
Age category
TotalN (%)
TeenageN (%)
AdultsN (%)
Preterm delivery
No
269 (87.1)
295 (95.5)
564 (91.3)
Yes
40 (12.9)
14 (4.5)
54 (8.7)
Low birth weight
No
255 (82.5)
288 (93.2)
543 (87.9)
Yes
54 (17.5)
21 (6.8)
74 (12.1)
Still birth/IUFD
No
290 (93.9)
299 (96.8)
589 (95.3)
Yes
19 (6.1)
10 (3.2)
29 (4.7)
SNC
No
276 (89.3)
298 (96.4)
574 (92.9)
Yes
33 (10.7)
11 (3.6)
44 (7.1)
Fetal distress
No
294 (95.1)
296 (95.8)
590 (95.5)
Yes
15 (4.9)
13 (4.2)
28 (4.5)


## 3.4. Association of Adverse Obstetric Outcomes with Maternal Age

Teenagers developed pregnancy-induced hypertension 2.29 times more likely than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.29; 95% CI, 1.01–5.19). Teenagers were 43% less likely to undergo cesarean delivery than the adult mothers (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.90). Teenagers were 2.01 times more likely to have episiotomy than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI, 1.25–3.39). The probability of teenagers to deliver post-term was 31.5% (OR: 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.89) (Table5).Table 5
Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the adverse obstetrical outcomes of teenagers and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Category
Obstetric outcomes PIH
COR (95% CI)
AOR (95% CI)
P value
YesN (%)
NoN (%)
Age
Teenage
35 (72.9)
274 (48.1)
2.91 (1.51–5.61)
2.29 (1.01–5.19)
0.048
Adult
13 (27.1)
296 (51.9)
1
1
Residence
Rural
32 (66.7)
287 (50.4)
1.97 (1.06–3.67)
1.51 (0.79–2.88)
0.217
Urban
16 (33.3)
283 (49.6)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
34 (70.8)
306 (53.7)
2.1 (1.10–3.99)
1.18 (0.54–2.59)
0.69
Multigravida
14 (29.2)
264 (46.3)
1
1
ANC
No
15 (31.2)
107 (18.8)
0.51 (0.27–0.97)
0.56 (0.29–1.07)
0.079
Yes
33 (68.8)
463 (81.2)
1
1
Cesarean delivery
Age
Teenage
40 (40.8)
269 (51.7)
0.64 (0.415–0.997)
0.57 (0.36–0.90)
0.016∗
Adult
58 (59.2)
251 (48.3)
1
1
Residence
Rural
58 (59.2)
261 (50.2)
1.5 (0.970–2.319)
1.78 (1.12–2.82)
0.014
Urban
40 (40.8)
259 (49.8)
1
1
Instrumental delivery
Age
Teenage
26 (49.1)
283 (50.1)
0.96 (0.55–1.69)
—
0.886
Adult
27 (50.9)
282 (49.9)
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
41 (78.8)
299 (52.8)
3.040 (1.564–5.905)
3.004 (1.544–5.843)
0.001
Multigravida
11 (21.2)
267 (47.2)
1
1
Episiotomy
Age
Teenage
95 (72)
214 (44)
3.26 (1.39–3.33)
2.01 (1.25–3.39)
0.004∗
Adult
37 (28)
272 (56)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
85 (79.4)
255 (49.9)
2.88 (2.35–6.39)
2.35 (1.39–3.96)
0.001
Multigravida
22 (20.6)
256 (50)
1
1
Postpartum hemorrhage
Age
Teenage
12 (41.4)
297 (50.4)
0.69 (0.33–1.48)
—
0.96
Adult
17 (68)
292 (49.2)
1
APH
Age
Teenage
11 (37.9)
298 (50.6)
0.597 (0.28–1.29)
0.82 (0.31–2.2)
0.698
Adult
18 (62.1)
291 (49.4)
1
Residence
Rural
21 (72.4)
298 (50.6)
2.56 (1.12–5.9)
3.1 (1.32–7.44)
0.009
Urban
8 (27.6)
291 (49.4)
1
1
Gravidity
Multigravida
20 (69)
258 (43.8)
1
1
Primigravida
9 (31%)
331 (56.2)
0.35 (0.16–0.78)
0.34 (0.125–0.918)
0.033
Perennial tear
Age
Teenage
23 (59)
286 (49.4)
1.47 (0.762.85)
—
0.249
Adult
16 (41)
293 (50.6)
1
Post-term delivery
Age
Teenage
14 (32.6)
295 (51.3)
0.46 (0.24–0.89)
0.02
Adult
29 (67.4)
280 (48.7)
1


## 3.5. Association of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes with Maternal Age

Adverse perinatal outcomes revealed that teenage mothers were 2.87 times more likely to deliver prematurely than the adult mothers (AOR: 2.87; 95% CI, 1.49–5.52). Chance of giving low birth weight was more than double in teenagers as compared with the adult age group mothers (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.13–4.36). A severe neonatal condition was also more pronounced in teenage groups than the adults which was about 2.98 times more likely (AOR: 2.98; 95% CI, 1.25–7.14) (Table6).Table 6
Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the adverse perinatal outcomes of teenagers and adult mothers delivered at Lemlem Karl general hospital, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=618).
Variable
Category
Perinatal outcomes of preterm delivery
COR (95% CI)
AOR (95% CI)
P value
YesN (%)
NoN (%)
Age
Teenage
40 (74.1)
269 (47.7)
3.13 (1.67–5.89)
2.87 (1.49–5.52)
0.002∗
Adult
14 (25.9)
295 (51.3)
1
1
Residence
Rural
35 (64.8)
284 (50.4)
1.8 (1.04–3.25)
1.35 (0.74–2.49
0.33
Urban
19 (35.2)
280 (49.6)
1
1
APH
Yes
7 (13)
22 (3.9)
3.67 (1.49–9.03)
4.9 (1.9–12.9)
0.001
No
47 (87)
542 (95.1)
1
1
PIH
Yes
11 (20.4)
37 (6.6)
3.64 (1.74–7.65)
3.02 (1.39–6.6)
0.005
No
43 (79.6)
527 (93.4)
1
1
Low birth weight
Age
Teenage
54 (72)
255 (47)
2.91 (1.71–4.94)
2.22 (1.13–4.36)
0.021∗
Adult
21 (28)
288 (53)
1
1
Residence
Rural
54 (73)
265 (48.7)
2.84 (1.66–4.88)
2.27 (1.29–3.97)
0.004
Urban
20 (27)
279 (51.3)
Gravidity
Primigravida
50 (67.6)
29 (53.3)
1.83 (1.09–3.05)
1.04 (0.55–1.97)
0.911
Multigravida
24 (32.4)
254 (46.7)
1
1
PIH
Yes
19 (25.3)
29 (5.3)
6.1 (3.23–11.66)
4.89 (2.53–9.52)
0.001
No
56 (74.7)
514 (94.7)
1
1
Still birth/IUFD
Age
Teenage
19 (65.5)
290 (49.2)
1.96 (0.89–4.28)
—
0.43
Adult
10 (34.5)
299 (50.8)
1
SNC
Age
Teenage
33 (75.0)
276 (48.1)
3.24 (1.606–6.534)
2.98 (1.25–7.14)
0.014∗
Adult
11 (25.0)
298 (51.9)
1
1
Residence
Rural
28 (70)
291 (50.3)
2 (1.10–4.10)
1.58 (0.797–3.12)
0.19
Urban
12 (30)
287 (49.7)
1
1
Gravidity
Primigravida
30 (75)
310 (53.6)
1.83 (0.95–3.51)
0.92 (0.41–2.05)
0.837
Multigravida
10 (25)
268 (46.4)
1
1
PIH
Yes
41 (7)
7 (15.9)
2.46 (1.03–5.86)
1.59 (0.63–4.00)
0.326
No
533 (93)
37 (84.1
1
1
Fetal distress
Age
Teenage
15 (53.6)
294 (49.8)
1.16 (0.54–2.48)
—
0.699
Adult
13 (46.4)
296 (50.2)
1


## 4. Discussion

According to this study, 17.5% of the teenagers deliver low birth weight and 6.8% of the adults deliver low birth weight neonates. Teenagers were 2.22 times more likely to deliver low birth weight neonates than adult mothers (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.13–4.36). This study was aligned with a study conducted in North India, in Cameron, and in Egypt [16, 23, 29]. This might be due to the anatomical immaturity, and continued growth of the teenagers may represent the biological growth barrier to their fetus and the low socioeconomic status.According to this study, the result shows that teenagers were 2.87 times more likely to deliver prematurely than adult mothers (AOR: 2.87; 95% CI, 1.49–5.52). The same finding was observed in studies conducted in India, Turkey, Taiwan, Korea, and Cameron [10, 16–18, 23, 29]. The possible reason for this might be that teenagers were highly exposed to psychological instability/stress because of cultural, social, and economic factors in their living environment. Despite our finding, studies conducted in Sweden (AOR: 1.03; 95% CI, 0.98–1.09) and South Africa (P=0.702) showed there was no significant difference in preterm deliveries between the two age groups [24, 31]. This could be attributed by the study area setting and difference in sample sizes.Based on this study, teenagers were 2.98 times more likely to have severe neonatal conditions than adult mothers (AOR: 2.98; 95% CI, 1.25–7.14). This result was similar with an institutional-based cross-sectional study conducted by the average health organization [10]. The possible explanation might be a socioeconomic condition, health service utilization, and nutritional status of mothers.In this study, teenagers develop pregnancy-induced hypertension 2.29 times more likely than adult mothers (AOR: 2.29; 95% CI, 1.01–5.19). Our finding was supported the study conducted in the USA [19]. This might be attributed to the fact that null parity and age less than 20 years are the possible risk factors for the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension. However, our finding was inconsistent with studies conducted in Pakistan and Ankara [22, 25]. This difference might be explained by the difference in health-care service utilization and preconception care especially folic acid supplementation.Regarding cesarean delivery, teenagers were 43% less likely to deliver by cesarean delivery than adult mothers (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.90). This study had a similar finding with studies conducted in Sweden and USA [19, 31]. Another study conducted in Ankara, Turkey also showed that teenagers were 36% less likely to undergo cesarean delivery than adults (AOR: 0.64; 95% CI, 0.64–0.89) [22]. The possible explanation for this might be due to the awareness difference between the two age groups about cesarean delivery.However, this study finding has contradiction with three studies conducted in Cameron which were conducted at different time periods [6, 23, 29]. This variation might be due to the difference in sample sizes and study area setting. In this study, episiotomy was performed about two times more likely on teenagers than adults. Our finding is similar to the studies conducted in Cameron, Turkey, Romania, and Cameron [6, 19, 27, 32]. This might be due to the study area setting and the rules to apply episiotomy.


## 5. Conclusion

This study shows that adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes were significantly associated with teenage mothers than adult mothers like pregnancy-induced hypertension and episiotomy. Low birth weight, preterm delivery, and severe neonatal conditions are also clearly more significant in teenagers.



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*Source: 3124847-2020-01-20.xml*