A narrative review of the literature on unintended adolescent pregnancies: Understanding their meaning, associated factors, and consequences - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #public health
- #reproductive health
- #adolescent pregnancy
- Over two million girls under 15 become pregnant annually in low- and middle-income countries, with high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing maternal mortality and morbidity.
- Adolescent pregnancies are often viewed as social problems linked to misconduct and delinquency, with interpretations varying across cultures.
- Unintended adolescent pregnancies are largely caused by a lack of sexual reproductive knowledge and cultural factors limiting open parent-child discussions.
- Consequences include emotional trauma, social embarrassment, school dropout, and poverty.
- The review highlights the need for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach considering local cultural, social, and political contexts to foster meaningful change.