Teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy refers to the pregnancy in a female below twenty years of age. It is also known as adolescent pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is associated with various causes and has negative effects to the affected. Among the risk factors associated in teenage pregnancies is alcohol and drug abuse. The abuse of drugs makes the teenagers make poor decisions including engaging in irresponsible sexual behavior. Influence from their peers also pushes the teens to engage in sexual behavior as they lack understanding in the consequences of the act. Family environment also contributes to teenage pregnancy (Woodward, Fergusson, & Horwood, 2001). Majority of the children who are raised in hostile environments characterized by issues like sexual abuse and parents’ instability get pregnant while they are still teenagers

There exists difference in the health of teenagers who are pregnant. The teenagers who are in the countries where abortion is illegal tend to procure unsafe abortions, endangering their lives. Social life also creates difference in the health of teen mothers. (Finer, &Henshaw, 2006). Teenagers who have access to better health care and reproductive health education tend to lead a better life health wise compared to those who do not have access

Teenage pregnancies bring along health problems to the teenagers and the babies. Teen mothers face a significant level of stress leading to mental health concerns. The teenage mother may suffer depression due to the complications arising from pregnancy like preeclampsia and stigma from the society at large. Apart from the mental health concerns, the teen mothers also have a tendency of neglecting their physical health while caring for their babies. They may not have access to or knowledge on healthy eating thus more likely to be obese. The babies may also be born prematurely and have low birth weights (Mukhopadhyay, Chaudhuri,, & Paul,  2010)

References.

Woodward, L., Fergusson, D. M., & Horwood, L. J. (2001). Risk factors and life processes associated with teenage pregnancy: Results of a prospective study from birth to 20 years. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(4), 1170-1184.

Finer, L. B., & Henshaw, S. K. (2006). Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 38(2), 90-96.

Mukhopadhyay, P., Chaudhuri, R. N., & Paul, B. (2010). Hospital-based perinatal outcomes and complications in teenage pregnancy in India. Journal of health, population, and nutrition, 28(5), 494.