Implication Of Teenage Pregnancy JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note

IMPLICATIONS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

v Meaning of teenage pregnancy

v Causes of teenage pregnancy

v Consequences and implications of teenage pregnancy

v Physical, social, and emotional implication

v Effects of drugs, self-medication, and drug abuse during pregnancy

v Causes and consequences of birth defects

Meaning of teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy in a young woman who has not reached her 20th birthday when the pregnancy ends, regardless of whether the woman is married or is legally an adult. Worldwide, rates of teenage pregnancy range from 143 per 1000 in some sub-Saharan African countries to 2.9 per 1000 in South Korea.

Pregnant teenagers face many of the obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s. However, there are additional medical concerns for mothers aged 14 or younger, especially if they live in a developing country. For mothers between 15 and 19, risks are associated more with socio-economic factors than with the biological effects of age.

Causes of teenage pregnancy

Many factors cause teenage pregnancy. These include:

1. Social belief: In some societies, early marriage and traditional gender roles are important factors in the rate of teenage pregnancy. For example, in some Sub-Saharan African countries, early marriage is often seen as a blessing because it is proof of the young woman’s fertility. In the Indian sub-continent, early marriage and pregnancy are more common in traditional rural communities compared to the rate in cities.
2. Lack of sex education: The lack of education on safe sex, whether it is from parents, school, or otherwise is a cause of teenage pregnancy. Many teenagers are not taught about methods of birth control and how to deal with peers who pressure them into having sex before they are ready.
3. Lack of use of contraceptive methods: The use of a method with a high failure rate is a factor in teenage pregnancy
4. Use of drugs and alcohol: Inability to reduce drugs and alcohol may encourage unintended sexual activity. Teenagers who engage in drug use are more likely to engage in sex. The drugs with the strongest evidence linking to teenage pregnancy are cannabis, alcohol, and amphetamines including “ecstasy”
5. Poverty: Poverty is associated with increased rates of teenage pregnancy. Economically, poor countries have far more teenage mothers compared with economically rich countries.

Consequences and implications of teenage pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancy refers to pregnancy in a girl between the ages of 10 to 19. Adolescent pregnancy is usually unwanted and unintended. It can be dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child.

The consequences of adolescent pregnancy and delivery include the following:

1.           It can lead to induced hypertension which can cause heart failure and death of both the mother and the child
2.           It can also lead to premature labour and spontaneous abortion

 III.            Health risks include infection, incomplete abortion, injuries to genital organs, etc.

1.           Termination of education
2.           Life plans and career goals are disrupted
3.           Feeling of loss of childhood and adapting to adulthood

VII.            Poverty

VIII.            Forced marriage

IMPLICATIONS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Teenage pregnancy is usually unintended and unwanted. It can be dangerous both to the mother and the unborn child. The implications of teenage pregnancy can be categorized into four. These are:

1.     Health implication
2. Unsafe abortion
3. Social economic implication
4. Emotional implication
5. Health implication: Teenage pregnancy could result in a lot of health risks. Some of these include:
6.   Pregnancy-induced hypertension, which can cause heart   failure and death of both the mother and child
7.   Premature labour or spontaneous abortion

iii. Iron deficiency anemia which reduces the chances of surviving and excessive bleeding

1. Incomplete abortions
2. Infections and injuries to genital organs
3. Unsafe abortion: Adolescents are the most likely to seek abortions from untrained and unqualified healthcare providers. They may also attempt induced abortion. Unsafe abortion can also lead to several health risks and loss of life
4. Socio-economic implications: These include the following:
5. Termination of education
6. Disruption of life plan and career goals

iii. Early and forced marriage due to pregnancy

1. Stigmatization and isolation from peers
2. low self-esteem
3. Few job opportunities, low income, and poverty
4. Emotional or psychological implication: Some of these are:
5. loneliness and depression
6. Feeling of guilt and fear

iii. Feelings of insecurity

1. Emotional or psychological imbalance as a result of loss of childhood and adapting to adulthood

Causes and consequences of birth defects

A birth defect is a problem that occurs when a baby is developing in the uterus (womb). Birth defects can be minor or severe.

The causes of birth defects include the following:

1.                   Genetics: These are abnormalities transferred by parents to their children. Genetic birth defects happen at conception and often cannot be prevented
2. Non-genetic: These are caused by harmful habits or dangerous exposures of the pregnant mothers. Some of these habits or dangerous exposures are:
3. Smoking
4. Using illegal drugs
5. Taking alcohol
6. Exposure to toxic chemicals
7. Untreated bacterial or viral infections

The most common types of functional or developmental birth defects include:

1.     Down syndrome – causes delay in physical and mental development
2.     Sickle cell disease
3.     Cystic fibrosis – this damages the lungs and the digestive system

CLASSWORK 10

1.     Explain “teenage pregnancy” in your understanding
2.     Enumerate four major causes of teenage pregnancy