ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0184-0426; Namatovu, Shakillah; Atwine, Daniel; Tumuhairwe, Jackline; Nyakato, Viola Nilah; Kemigisha, Elizabeth und Ivanova, Olena
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8276-7891
(2024):
Repeat adolescent pregnancies in Southwestern Uganda. A cross-sectional study.
In: Women's Health, Bd. 20
[PDF, 210kB]

Abstract
Background: Pregnancy in adolescents continues to remain a significant public health challenge, with repeat pregnancies in this age group often receiving insufficient attention. In Uganda, repeat adolescent pregnancy varies between 26.1% and 55.6%. Evidence shows that repeat pregnancy in adolescence is more common in settings of high poverty, low educational attainment and low use of long-acting reversible contraceptives among others.
Objectives: The main aim of this study is to determine the underlying risk and protective factors of repeat adolescent pregnancy in Uganda.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study among adolescent girls and young women aged between 13 and 22 years with single and repeat pregnancies in four districts in Southwestern Uganda.
Methods: The questionnaire was administered on a portable PC to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, pregnancy outcome, experience of violence and mental health. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed.
Results: A total of 115 girls with single and 93 with repeat pregnancies participated in the survey. Of these, 42 (20.2%) were 18 years and younger. The majority (92%) had dropped out of school, having achieved primary-level education (67%). The mean age of sexual debut (15.6 versus 16.4 years) and the mean age at first pregnancy (16.4 versus 17.3 years) were lower among those in repeat-pregnancy group compared to those in single-pregnancy group. The odds of having repeat pregnancy were higher among participants who engaged in risky behaviour (AOR 3; 95% CI (1.28-7.37)) and experienced any form of violence (AOR 4.67; 95% CI (1.5-16.56)). Being single, having the first pregnancy in older age (16 and above) and having a positive first pregnancy outcome (live birth) served as protective factors for repeat pregnancy.
Conclusions: Adolescents with repeat pregnancies have significantly more SRH risks compared to those with single pregnancies. These findings underscore the importance of multi-faceted and timely interventions for adolescent girls in this setting, with an emphasis on the mitigation of violence, and enhancing access to comprehensive sexuality education, and SRH services.
Dokumententyp: | Zeitschriftenartikel |
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Keywords: | Africa; Uganda; adolescent; repeat pregnancy |
Fakultät: | Medizin > Klinikum der LMU München > Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV (Endokrinologie, Nephrologie, weitere Sektionen) |
Themengebiete: | 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit |
URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-epub-124523-8 |
ISSN: | 1745-5057 |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Dokumenten ID: | 124523 |
Datum der Veröffentlichung auf Open Access LMU: | 10. Mrz. 2025 12:52 |
Letzte Änderungen: | 10. Mrz. 2025 12:52 |