Adolescent pregnancy is widely
recognised as a complex and serious
problem in India. Early childbearing
appears to have negative effects beyond
socio-economic and cultural factors
(UNICEF, 2008). In some cases, the
mother's age directly affects birth
outcomes; in other cases, the mother's age
influences other relevant factors that in
turn affect her social, economic and
physical well-being and that of her child.
Studies conducted on adolescent
pregnancy show that teenage pregnant
women, especially those under the age of
19 years, suffer more complications like
maternal morbidity and mortality and often
give birth to premature and low birth
weight babies (Bhagat, 2002).
Miscarriages, stillbirths and neo-natal
deaths are more frequent among
adolescent mothers. Biological
vulnerability for adverse outcomes among
younger mothers may also persist due to
physical immaturity and exacerbation of
the effect of chronic malnutrition and
scarce nutrients from the mother to foetus
(Raj et.al 2010). Factors such as early age
at marriage, illiteracy, poor economic
conditions and cultural issues are the main
reasons for adolescent childbearing. This
can be reduced with early and regular
prenatal care (Alam, 2000). Generally,
adolescents neglect their physical health
regardless of pregnancy. Secondly, poor
eating habits and poor healthcare are
relatively common among this age group
(Raja et. al 2009). Lack of education and
inadequate access to healthcare may also
prevent adolescents form resorting to good
antenatal care and skilled delivery care
(Sivaram, et.al, 1995).
Studies conducted on adolescent
childbearing show that adolescent pregnant
women are at increased risk for domestic
violence. A study conducted on teenage
pregnant women revealed that 26 per cent
of mothers aged 17 years or younger and
23 per cent of mothers aged 18 and 19
years experienced violence (Covington et
al., 2001). Among teens who reported
physical violence, over 50 per cent
reported being injured in the abdominal
area. While the majority of teens reported
being battered by their husbands, about 25
per cent reported attacks by a relative,
including mother (9.6 per cent), father (6.5
per cent) and brother (6.5 per cent)
(Gessner and Perham, 1998). Adolescents
who reported severe pre-natal violence
were significantly more likely to deliver
pre-term than those reporting other
violence or no pre-natal violence
(Covington et al, 2001).