Teenage pregnancy and the sociodemographic attributes as a major contributor: Findings from an urban referral center in Nepal

doi:10.5317/wjog.v10.i2.16

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Sep 30, 2021 (publication date) through Mar 5, 2026

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World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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2218-6220

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Clinical and Translational Research

World J Obstet Gynecol. Sep 30, 2021; 10(2): 16-25
Published online Sep 30, 2021. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v10.i2.16

Teenage pregnancy and the sociodemographic attributes as a major contributor: Findings from an urban referral center in Nepal

Puja Thapa, Pukar Thapa, Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, Pravash Budhathoki, Binod Karki, Bimita Mahat

Puja Thapa, Department of Anesthesiology, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Pukar Thapa, Hepatology Unit (Internal Medicine), National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, IL 60608, United States

Pravash Budhathoki, Department of Internal Medicine, Bronxcare Health System, Bronx, NY 10457, United States

Binod Karki, Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Bimita Mahat, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Author contributions: Thapa P, Thapa P, Karki B, and Mahat B contributed to the conception and design of the study, literature search, and data collection; Shrestha DB and Budhathoki P analyzed and interpreted the data and drafted the manuscript; All authors were involved in revising the manuscript, and have read and approved the manuscript for further processing and publication.

Institutional review board statement: The study protocol was approved by Ethical Review Board of Nepalese Health Research Council and conducted in accordance with the protocol.

Informed consent statement: Informed consent was taken from all respondents meeting inclusion criteria before they were enrolled in the study.

Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr Puja Thapa received financial support from Letten Foundation, Norway for this study. Other authors have nothing to disclose.

Data sharing statement: All available data is analyzed and presented in the study as appropriate.

Corresponding author: Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, MD, Doctor, Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 South Fairfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, United States. med-han75@gmail.com

Received: February 25, 2021
Peer-review started: February 25, 2021
First decision: May 14, 2021
Revised: May 16, 2021
Accepted: August 25, 2021
Article in press: August 25, 2021
Published online: September 30, 2021
Processing time: 214 Days and 18.9 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Teenage pregnancy is a challenging issue worldwide. Yet, despite the increased health risk and socioeconomic impact of teenage pregnancy, the numbers remain high in Nepal.

AIM

To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Nepal.

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital from April to August 2017. A total of 1359 mothers were assessed and interviewed regarding their reproductive history and sociodemographic attributes. Ethical approval from the Nepal Health Research Council, permission from the concerned hospital, and consent from study subjects were obtained.

RESULTS

Of the 5526 deliveries, 679 (12.3%) were teenage pregnancy deliveries. The majority (85.1%) of mothers (out of 1359) were married at < 20 years of age, with a mean age of marriage of 17.57 years (± 1.994, range: 12-25 years). Marriage age was a significant determinant of teenage pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 2.423 [2.262-2.596]; P < 0.001). Likewise, a love marriage (OR: 2.018 [1.585-2.570]; P < 0.001) and first teenage pregnancy (OR: 3.622 [3.265-4.017]; P < 0.001) were significant determinants for subsequent teen pregnancies. Knowledge of family planning methods (OR: 0.474; 0.288-0.779; P = 0.003) and use of any methods of family planning utilization (OR: 0.345; 0.248-0.479; P = 0.000) significantly lowered the chance of teenage pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Teenage pregnancy occupies a substantial proportion of total deliveries in the Nepalese maternity hospital. In addition, early pregnancy was significantly associated with age and type of marriage, education level, knowledge, and practice of contraceptive methods.

Keywords: Contraception; Nepal; Reproductive health; Teenage pregnancy; Marriage; Education

Core Tip: This study evaluated the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Nepal. Teenage pregnancy carries a significant proportion of total deliveries in a Nepalese maternity hospital. Early pregnancy was significantly associated with age at marriage, education level, type of marriage, and contraceptive practice.