Prevalence and Risk Factors of Repeat Pregnancy among South African Adolescent Females

Afr J Reprod Health. 2019 Mar;23(1):73-87. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2019/v23i1.8.

Abstract

In the era of HIV/AIDS, repeat pregnancies among adolescents indicate the growing problem of high-risk sexual behavior and the status of reproductive health services. A cross sectional survey was conducted to establish the prevalence and risk factors of repeat pregnancies among South African adolescents. A total of 326 adolescents participated in this study at a district hospital in, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from June 2017 to November 2017. Data was analysed using R Software. Out of the 326 adolescents, 19.9% had experienced a repeat pregnancy. The risk factors associated with adolescent repeat pregnancy included a history of spontaneous abortion (p <0.001) and previous contraceptive use (p <0.001). A higher level of education (p <0.001) and emotional support from family (p=0.007) were found to be significant protective factors against adolescent repeat pregnancy. These findings have implications for future interventions aimed at reducing repeat pregnancy among adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; HIV; contraception; repeat pregnancy; spontaneous abortion.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / epidemiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Contraception
  • Contraception Behavior
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Young Adult