Repeat pregnancies among adolescents in a tertiary hospital in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to investigate factors associated with repeat pregnancies among adolescents in a tertiary hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Background: Teenage mothers present a high risk of repeat pregnancies during adolescence. Most of these pregnancies are unplanned. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The study population included 745 first-time pregnancies and 170 two or more times pregnant teenagers hospitalised for childbirth. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent factors associated with repeat pregnancy in this population. Results: Older age at first pregnancy was associated with a decreased risk of repeat pregnancies (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval 0.78 (0.68-0.89)). Prenatal examinations (0.13 (0.05-0.32)), higher education (0.83 (0.76-0.91)) and higher monthly income (0.79 (0.67-0.95)) were also protective against repeat pregnancies. Those who used contraceptives (2.76 (1.80-4.21)) and lived with their partners (2.44 (1.53-3.88)) had an increased risk of becoming pregnant more than once. Conclusion: Preventive programmes aiming to avoid repeat pregnancies in adolescents should not be restricted to the transmission of information. Behavioural changes in family planning must include access not only to adequate information but also to adequate healthcare, contraceptive methods, education and training.

Prevalence of rapid repeat pregnancy and associated factors in adolescents in Caruaru, Pernambuco

“…3 Typically, the adolescents tend to stop studying when they get pregnant for the first time, and with recurrent pregnancies they remain permanently out of school. 10 Confirming with this condition, our study found a high prevalence of among pregnant women dropping out of school and failing school , and a higher percentage among women with repetition of pregnancy . Such fact has been demonstrated as the main characteristic associated with the social issue of pregnancy in adolescence.…”

“…The discontinuation ofncontraceptive puts teenage mothers in high risk, since many get pregnant again within 12 months after childbirth. [9][10][11] Some reasons may be described as determinant factors for this discontinuation, such as: the teenager does not like the side effects of the oral contraceptives, the unplanning sexual activities and the absence of receiving advice from the health team regarding the immediate postpartum. 2,5,14,15 The understanding of factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy and its repetition are fundamental to the development of adequate interventions.…”

“…1,[6][7][8] Teenagers who get pregnant again in less than two years are less likely to return to school or become economically self-sufficient than those who start reproduction later, and their children have a higher probability of presenting behavioral and emotional problems when compared to other children. 3,[9][10][11][12] Women starting motherhood during adolescence tend to have a greater number of children throughout their reproductive life. 4,10 Generally, the first pregnancy is not planned, and sometimes unwanted; thus, it is high the probability of the following pregnancies acquire the unwanted character of the first.…”

“…3,[9][10][11][12] Women starting motherhood during adolescence tend to have a greater number of children throughout their reproductive life. 4,10 Generally, the first pregnancy is not planned, and sometimes unwanted; thus, it is high the probability of the following pregnancies acquire the unwanted character of the first. 1,3 The repetition of a new unwanted pregnancy at adolescence occurs on a scale of one to five young girls; however, neither the experience of getting pregnant nor its consequences are considered to be effective to develop a responsible sexual behavior and capable of breaking a vicious circle.…”

Intervention Now to Eliminate Repeat Unintended Pregnancy in Teenagers (INTERUPT): a systematic review of intervention effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and qualitative and realist synthesis of implementation factors and user engagement

“…Policy documents from the UK were also used to explore elements of the theory areas under investigation, applying the criteria of relevance and rigor. Identified quantitative studies that were not synthesised in any 'pooled' analysis Twenty-one additional quantitative studies [112][113][114][115][123][124][125][126][127][128][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153] were identified as included studies, but were not synthesised in any 'pooled' analysis as they did not report on or contain data relevant to the outcomes under investigation. We extracted data on other risk factors but had insufficient data to perform metaregression with any statistical integrity.…”