Factors associated with pregnancy among adolescents in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

In resource-constrained countries, as in well-resourced countries, low socioeconomic position appears to increase the risk of pregnancy among adolescents. Additional risks specific to these contexts include cultural traditions such as early marriage and inaccurate beliefs about contraception. It is unlikely that strategies to reduce pregnancy among women aged less than 20 years will be effective unless these are addressed directly.

How optimal caseload midwifery can modify predictors for preterm birth in young women: Integrated findings from a mixed methods study

“…Socioeconomic deprivation is an independent predictor for preterm birth (Koullali et al, 2016;Ncube et al, 2016). In high-resource countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand (NZ), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US); adolescents who become pregnant and continue the pregnancy are more likely to come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (Harden et al, 2009;Imamura et al, 2007;Pradhan et al, 2015). The effect of social deprivation on behaviour, health and living conditions are strongly associated with both adolescent pregnancy and PTB; the risk factors are identical (see Table 1).…”

Comparing the use and content of antenatal care in adolescent and older first-time mothers in 13 countries of west Africa: a cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

“…Most adolescent births are concentrated amongst poorer and less educated women (9), likely as a result of limited access to health services associated with low socioeconomic status and stigma around pregnancy in teenage years, and sometimes, outside marriage (10). Early pregnancies usually hinder adolescents' ability to obtain an education and reduce future employment opportunities, reinforcing socioeconomic disadvantage (11,12).…”

Matrimonio infantil: Un problema social, económico y de salud pública

“…La investigación ha demostrado que el matrimonio de adolescentes se asocia con embarazo, con embarazo no planificado, rápida repetición de parto, uso inadecuado de los servicios de salud materna y pobres resultados del parto, entre otros resultados de salud materna e infantil negativos (19,(40)(41)(42). Por ello, el retraso de la maternidad y la prevención de embarazos no deseados en la niñez y adolescencia, se ha demostrado que mejora los resultados de salud y aumenta las oportunidades de educación, empleo en el futuro, y las ganancias (43,44).…”