Determinants of Adverse Newborn Outcome Among Adolescent Pregnancy in Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital, Central Ethiopia: A Case‐Control Study

Abstract

Background: Adolescent pregnancy remains a common healthcare problem in low‐ and middle‐income countries, and it is associated with higher maternal and neonatal complications. Adverse neonatal outcomes among adolescents are one of the most common causes of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study was carried out to evaluate the adverse neonatal outcomes associated with teenage pregnancy in Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital, Central Ethiopia. Methods: This case‐control study was carried out on 75 cases and 150 matched control adolescent pregnant women between June and November, 2021. A structured questionnaire that has been validated and considered credible was employed as a data collection technique. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select study participants. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to look at the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. A p value of less than 0.05 was used to declare significant threshold. Result: There were 150 controls and 75 patients in this study, with a 100% response rate. From the participants, 84% of cases and 76.7% of controls were in the age group of 15–19 years old. Out of the 75 cases, 38.3% had low birth weight children, 32.8% had preterm delivery, and 28.7% had poor Apgar scores. From the participants, 64.5% of the controls and 56% of the cases have good knowledge about the risks associated with low birth outcomes. Adverse newborn outcomes were independently predicted by mothers living in rural areas 3.04 (1.46–7.66), those with gestational diabetes 4.26 (2.65–2.34), and mothers experiencing any complication during pregnancy 4.02 (1.13–7.75). Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancies in rural areas, as well as those with complications and gestational diabetes, were the study’s predictive variables. In order to reduce the chance of an adverse newborn outcome, adolescent pregnant women living in rural areas and those who have gestational diabetes should be made aware of the dangers associated with their age and encouraged to consult with health professionals on a regular basis.