Awareness of pregnancy complications and predisposing factors among teenage women attending Bauchi Specialist Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Bauchi State is one of the areas with the highest rates of adolescent childbearing in the Nigeria. Thus this paper examines the factors that contributes to complications of teenage pregnancy among the patients that attend Bauchi State Specialist Hospital. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Simple random sampling was used in selecting a sample of the teenage pregnancy
mothers. A pilot study was conducted using a population of 10 respondents which yielded 0.82 hence the instrument reliability coefficient. The descriptive statistics was analyzed based on percentage as well as mean and standard deviation. The inferential statistics was analyzed based on independent of Chi-square test. Respondents overwhelmingly agree that hypertension (60%) and poor antenatal care (51%) lead to complications in teenage pregnancies. This highlights the critical need for improved healthcare access and monitoring for adolescent mothers to reduce health risks. Cultural beliefs (82% agreement) and poverty (71% agreement) are significant contributors to teenage pregnancy. The findings indicate that societal norms and economic status heavily influence the likelihood of adolescent pregnancies, suggesting that holistic interventions are necessary to address these underlying issues. The absence of parents (93% agreement) and peer pressure (71% agreement) are identified as crucial factors
influencing teenage pregnancies. This indicates that emotional and social support systems are vital for adolescents, underlining the importance of parental involvement and peer education in promoting healthy choices. A lack of education is perceived as a major risk factor for teenage pregnancy (73% agreement). This emphasizes the necessity of implementing comprehensive sexual education programs to empower adolescents with knowledge about reproductive health and informed decision-making, aiming to reduce pregnancy rates among teenagers. Community outreach programs should focus on raising awareness of cultural beliefs and practices that may contribute to teenage pregnancy. Establish peer education programs to empower adolescents with knowledge and skills to navigate social pressures. Implement holistic programs that address the socioeconomic factors influencing teenage pregnancies.