Predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the determinants of these outcomes are understudied. The present study sought to identify the predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ghana. In this prospective health centre-based study, 416 pregnant adolescents, aged 13–19 years old, were followed, and 270 birth outcomes were evaluated. We collected data on socio-demographic variables, eating behaviour, household hunger scale (HHS), lived poverty index (LPI) and compliance to antenatal interventions. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm births (PTB) were 15⋅2 and 12⋅5 %, respectively. Pregnant adolescents with no formal education (AOR 9⋅0; P = 0⋅004; 95 % CI 2⋅1, 39⋅8), those who experienced illness (AOR 3⋅0; P = 0⋅011; 95 % CI 1⋅3, 7⋅0), those who experienced hunger (OR 2⋅9; P = 0⋅010; 95 % CI 1⋅3, 6⋅5) and those with high LPI (OR 2⋅5; P = 0⋅014; 95 % CI 1⋅2, 5⋅3) presented increased odds of delivering preterm babies compared with those who have had secondary education, did not experience any illness, were not hungry or having low LPI, respectively. Pregnant adolescents who used insecticide-treated net (ITN) (AOR 0⋅4; P = 0⋅013; 95 % CI 0⋅2, 0⋅9) presented reduced odds LBW children; while those who experienced illness (AOR 2⋅7; P = 0⋅020; 95 % CI 1⋅2, 6⋅0), poorer pregnant adolescents (OR 2⋅5; P = 0⋅014; 95 % CI 1⋅1, 4⋅8) and those who experienced hunger (AOR 3⋅0; P = 0⋅028; 95 % CI 1⋅1, 8⋅1) presented increased odds of LBW children compared with those who used ITN, were not ill, were not poor or did not experience hunger. Adverse birth outcomes were associated with ANC compliance and socioeconomic factors of the pregnant adolescents. Hence, strengthening antenatal uptake and compliance by pregnant adolescents, promoting their livelihood and socioeconomic status, and interventions to prevent teenage pregnancies are strongly recommended.

Educational attainment and offspring birth weight: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

“…Nevertheless, this study used two GWAS databases and lacked individual data to allow subgroup analysis by age or sex; thus, any potential nonlinear relationships or stratification effects by health status, age, or sex cannot be examined. Second, we only adjusted for BMI and alcohol consumption in the multivariable MR analysis, and some factors, such as age and gestational age, may confuse the association between education and birth weight ( Mohammed et al, 2019 ; Jeena et al, 2020 ; Annan et al, 2021 ). If possible, studies should continue to explore other confounding factors to fully understand the relationship between education and birth weight.…”

Dietary and Nutrient Intake, Eating Habits, and Its Association with Maternal Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring’s Birth Weight in Pregnant Adolescents

“…Nearly 20% of adolescents from low and middle-income countries give birth [ 1 , 2 ]. They have a higher frequency of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and increased neonatal and maternal mortality risk than pregnant adults [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Gestational weight gain (GWG) has been associated with both short-term and long-term consequences, such as anemia and preeclampsia.…”

Association between Sexual Activity during Pregnancy, Pre- and Early-Term Birth, and Vaginal Cytokine Inflammation: A Prospective Study of Black Women

“…While our study focused only on the role of vaginal inflammation, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential contribution of other factors in the complex relationship between vaginal sexual behavior and birth outcomes. For example, previous research has suggested that factors such as short cervical length [59,60], poor nutritional status [61], higher parity [62,63], and lower socioeconomic status [64] could impact birth outcomes. Health benefits of vaginal sexual activity on a wide range of medical and psychological measurements have also been reported [65].…”