Discussion: Adolescent pregnancy

Discussion: Adolescent pregnancy

Discussion: Adolescent pregnancy

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Adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a high-risk situation due to the serious health risks that this creates for the mother, the baby, and society at large. Describe various risk factors or precursors to adolescent pregnancy. Research community and state resources devoted in adolescent pregnancy and describe at least two of these resources. Research the teen pregnancy rates for the last 10 years for your state and community. Has this rate increased or decreased? Discuss possible reasons for an increase or decrease.

Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20.^[2] Pregnancy can occur with sexual intercourse after the start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual period (menarche) but usually occurs after the onset of periods.^[5] In well-nourished females, the first period usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.^[6]

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same pregnancy related issues as other women. There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15 as they are less likely to be physically developed to sustain a healthy pregnancy or to give birth.^[7] For girls aged 15–19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the biological effects of age.^[8] Risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are connected to biological age, being observed in teen births even after controlling for other risk factors (such as accessing prenatal care etc.).^[9][10]

Teenage pregnancies are associated with social issues, including lower educational levels and poverty.^[3] Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage and carries a social stigma.^[11] Teenage pregnancy in developing countries often occurs within marriage and half are planned.^[3] However, in these societies, early pregnancy may combine with malnutrition and poor health care to cause medical problems. When used in combination, educational interventions and access to birth control can reduce unintended teenage pregnancies.^[4][12]

In 2015 about 47 females per 1,000 had children well under the age of 20.^[3] Rates are higher in Africa and lower in Asia.^[3] In the developing world about 2.5 million females under the age of 16 and 16 million females 15 to 19 year old have children each year.^[3] Another 3.9 million have abortions.^[3] It is more common in rural than urban are