Characteristics of adolescent pregnancy, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Simões, Vanda Maria Ferreira
• Data de Publicação: 2003
• Outros Autores: Silva, Antônio Augusto Moura da, Bettiol, Heloisa, Lamy-Filho, Fernando, Tonial, Sueli Rosina, Mochel, Elba Gomide
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Saúde Pública
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistas.usp.br/rsp/article/view/31629
• topic: Gravidez na adolescência; Coeficiente de fecundidade; Recém-nascido de baixo peso; Prematuro; Cuidado pré-natal; Comportamento do adolescente; Serviços de saúde materna; Qualidade dos cuidados de saúde; Fatores socioeconômicos; Parto; Mortalidade infantil; Fatores de risco; Tabagismo; Pregnancy in adolescence; Pregnancy rate; Infant; low birth weight; Iinfant; prematur; Prenatal care; Adolescent behavior; Maternal health services; Quality of health care; Socioeconomic factors; Parturition; Infant mortality; Risk factors; Smoking

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes of adolescent pregnancy and to assess health services used by pregnant adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected from a cross-section of 2,429 deliveries by women residing in the municipality of São Luís, Brazil, of which 94% were hospital births. Women were categorized into six age groups. The two groups of teenagers (under 18 and 18-19 years) were compared to four groups of older women. Comparison was also made between the two teenage groups. The chi-square test was used to compare proportions and prevalence ratio was used as an effect measure. RESULTS: Of 2,429 women, 714 (29.4%) were adolescents. Their specific fertility coefficient was higher than in other regions of the country. Adolescents showed lower socioeconomic and reproductive conditions than older women and a higher proportion of inadequate prenatal care. The majority had no partner. They had the lowest percentages of caesarean section and smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their equally unfavorable socioeconomic situation, 18-19 year-old adolescents had pregnancy outcomes comparable to the age group 25-29, whereas those under 18 had the highest proportions of low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality rate. This suggests that biologic immaturity may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.