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

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.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus - A Public Health Concern in Rural Communities of Nepal

BACKGROUND

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is in increasing trend recently. It is associated with adverse effects on both mother and fetus. Thus, diagnosis of GDM is an important public health issue. This study aimed to determine the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in three rural districts of Nepal.

METHODS

A hospital based study was conducted in three districts representing mountain, hill and Terai belts of Nepal during the period of July 2009 to June 2010. A total of 564 pregnant women were interviewed and tested for blood glucose as per WHO guideline Results: In Nepal, only 2.5% of pregnant women had GDM according to WHO criteria while it was 6.6% according to IADPSG criteria. Overall mean blood glucose among pregnant women was 72.1 (fasting) and 95.8 (after 2 hrs of 75 gm glucose intake) in which it was 62.8, and 75.1 in Dhading, 78.7 and 88.9 in Dhangadhi, and 98.3 and 99.3 in Solukhumbu districts respectively. Pregnant women with increased age were significantly at high risk of having GDM than those of younger women (p=0.04). There were non-significant differences in GDM by District, Ethnic group and family history of DM.

CONCLUSIONS

Gestational diabetes in the rural areas of Nepal is variable with two different criterias (2.5% vs 6.56%). Increasing age was an important influencing factor. Special attention should be given on women with increasing age. There was no significant difference in prevalence of GDM in three ecobelts of Nepal despite of altitude and cultural variability.