The profile of teenage mothers attending in a teaching hospital at Southern Brazil - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v34i1.8946

Abstract

The adolescent pregnancy brings social, emotional and health consequences. The aim of this study was to delineate the profile of teenage mothers attended in a Teaching Hospital in Southern Brazil. This is an observational, retrospective, and transversal research. The sample was composed by adolescents, attended at the Maternity from the Hospital Universitário do Oeste do Paraná (HUOP), during October 2008. A high number of births among adolescents (26.22%) was evidenced. Most of them lived in urban areas, with incomplete secondary education, early sexual activity, consensual union, low family income, without gainful activity, started prenatal care later and was in the first pregnancy. The results are similar to other studies with pregnant adolescents in Brazil. Programs aiming the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and consequently the unwanted pregnancy in adolescence, are not presenting the expected results. Activities for health education are necessary among the adolescents. An educational work performed in partnership with schools and parents is an alternative. During the prenatal period and after the birth of the child, it is necessary to work with the care beyond the physical health of the mother and the baby.