Pregnancy in unmarried adolescents in Nigeria
Obi, S.N.; Ozuma, B.C.; Onyebuchi, A.K.
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 77(2): 157-159
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7292 PMID: 12031569 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7292(02)00025-5Document Number: 242290
A prospective study was conducted between January 1999 and December 2000 to investigate the reproductive characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of 198 consecutive unmarried adolescents seen at the maternity unit of the Federal Medical Center Abakaliki in Nigeria. 200 married adolescent expectant mothers attending the same clinic were included in the study as controls. Unmarried pregnant adolescents constituted an important proportion (10.7%) of the 1846 deliveries that occurred within the period of review. 78.3% were students and 84.3% had older male partners. The sexual relationship had come about as a result of material need, coercion or abuse. Pregnancy and labour complications were more common in the unmarried group. The married adolescents had better results in terms of prenatal mortality compared to their unmarried counterpart. It is suggested that sex education as well as access to reproductive health information and care will help reduce the occurrence of unwanted pregnancies and their lasting impact on adolescents, their families and society as a whole.
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