Teenage pregnancy: are teenagers a high risk group?

Abstract

To study health profile of pregnant teenagers and their pattern of utilization of primary health care services in comparison with pregnant women aged 20-35 years in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Study design: A cohort of 1938 Saudi pregnant women (214 teenagers less than 20 years and 1724 aged 20-35 years) was selected by stratified random sampling technique. They were screened for anemia and hypertension using WHO criteria and followed until delivery to observe the method of delivery. The prevalence of anemia (9.6% and 12.0%, respectively) and hypertension (1.1% and 3.5%, respectively) was not significantly different among primigravida of both age groups. The same trend was observed among multigravida. Follow-up showed that the rate of abnormal deliveries among primigravida of both groups was not significantly different, and even lower among multigravida teenagers. Pregnant women in both groups had similar average prenatal visits (6.6 ± 1.1 and 6.7 ± 1.2 respectively, P < 0.05) and the majority contacted the primary health care center early in pregnancy (87.4% and 88.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). These results indicate that pregnant teenagers are not a high risk group if good prenatal care is provided. © 1995.