Real Talk: Teen Pregnancy - Facts, Fears & the Future - Page 3

This is an open access research study with article published in 2023 aiming at the trends of teen pregnancy in the states of UP and Bihar. If interested, one can visit the link to understand the complete data analysis and I'm also sharing the abstract of the study which summarizes the study outcomes.

Pregnancy during adolescence is a major risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further, Motherhood during the adolescent period is identified as a major global health burden. Considering the widely known importance of the negative impact of adolescent pregnancy, motherhood at an early age, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, this paper aims to provide insight into correlates of teen pregnancy, adolescent motherhood and adverse pregnancy outcome. This study utilizes the data from UDAYA survey conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The eligible sample size for the study was 4897 married adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years. Bivariate analysis with a chi-square test of association and Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to fulfill the aim of the study. Our study shows that a major proportion of married adolescents (61%) got pregnant before the age of 20 years and around 42% of all adolescent married women gave birth to a child before reaching the age of 20 years. Adolescents who married before the age of 18 years were 1.79 times more likely to experience pregnancy (OR: 1.79; CI: 1.39–2.30) and 3.21 times more likely to experience motherhood (OR: 3.21; CI: 2.33–4.43). In the present study, women who experienced physical violence were at higher risk for having an adverse pregnancy outcome (OR: 1.41; CI: 1.08–1.84) than those who did not experience physical violence. To conclude, regional and national level efforts focused on improving early marriage, education and empowering women and girls can be beneficial.

Ref. Link: https://rdcu.be/ernnH

Shri, N., Singh, M., Dhamnetiya, D. et al. Prevalence and correlates of adolescent pregnancy, motherhood and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 66 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05354-6

thank you for creating this thread as this is an important issue, not just in the Global South but even in the West where I live. as you mentioned, lack of access to comprehensive sex education contributes to teenage pregnancy, coupled with purity culture prevalent in a lot of cultures. a lot of people seem to ignore the fact that a lot of teenagers do have sex and it is better for them to be safe than for them to end up with unplanned/unwanted pregnancies and/or STIs (which is another issue altogether).

again, thanks for creating this thread.

A few horrendous facts from history regarding teenagers/ kids getting pregnant---

What is this?... the youngest girl got pregnant?

Lina Marcela Medina de Jurado (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlina meˈðina]; born 23 September 1933) is a Peruvian woman who became the youngest confirmed mother in history when she gave birth to son Gerardo on 14 May 1939, aged five years, seven months, and 21 days.

(Credit:Google)

At what age did Uttara get pregnant?

Abhimanyu was 16 years old and Uttara may have been 15 years old. She gave birth to Maharaja Pareekshit at 15 or 16 years of age.

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In the past, teenage pregnancy was more frequent and often considered a normal part of life, particularly in the context of early marriage ages. For example, in Norway, nearly a quarter of women born in the early 1950s were teenage mothers by the early 1970s.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, rates of teenage pregnancy have decreased considerably in many regions, including the United States and Europe. While there have been overall declines in teenage pregnancy, rates still vary significantly across the globe. Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, has the highest rates of teenage pregnancy.

Despite the declines, teen pregnancy remains a significant issue in many regions, highlighting the need for continued efforts in prevention and support.

The tremendous popularity of Rajasthan traditions-based Balika Vadhu, which drew worldwide attention, shown that this is still prevalent, and many are concerned about the negative effects of this tradition.

In this serial, the Gehna story tells how Dadisa persuaded her to become pregnant even before she reached adolescence!

Even today, in many other states in India continue to practice this ritual for a variety of reasons, including socioeconomic and religious considerations.

This tradition can be prevented in many parts of the world by educating rural populations. Social media has to play a vital role now.

Even the kids born suffer in case they r abandoned due to societal pressures or born out of wedlock. I remember Julie movie though I don't know if the FL was a teenager.

Originally posted by: Rosyme

Even the kids born suffer in case they r abandoned due to societal pressures or born out of wedlock. I remember Julie movie though I don't know if the FL was a teenager.

Such scenes are very disturbing. Please note this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIkGXBAbORQ

There are three problems to overcome: shame, fear, ignorance...all three could be overcome if women would not (mostly) be other women's worst enemy but - in the contrary - support each other to balance the power-dynamics towards men (this also is valuable for girls/boys).

I think that sexuality has become a tabu-subject through religions...and as religions have been made by men (why, btw?), religious roules mostly put girls/women in a submissive position.

When something happens like child marriages, I immediatly question the reason behind it...which - on a human level - is the reason to marry an eight year old girl to a (much older) boy/man. I won't consider religious reasons but only practical ones...and two most practical ones come into my mind: get rid of the responsability for the girl/ensure the future for the girl. Btw, just to know, will the little one already have to live in the husband's household even when not having her menstruation yet? ( because there is also the rule that the girl has to live in the husband's houshold, right?).

Originally posted by: Savera84

It is a sad state of affairs but, teen marriages and teen pregnancies are still happening.

I don't think the kids have a say in these matters in most of the cases.

4 or 5 years ago I heard someone arranging a wedding for their barely out of school child because her grand mother was unwell and expressed a wish to see her grand daughter's wedding before passing away. The girl got married and lo and behold, got pregnant within months and gave birth to a baby the next year. I think the girl was only 17 or 18 when she had a baby.

The society needs education on so many matters. This is definitely one of them.

Nice topic Anushkaa and thanks for the tag Madhu.

Cheers..

That's truly heartbreaking to hear

I mean what is this wish of seeing grandchild getting married? Pathetic.