Risks, complications, and protective factors for health in pregnant adolescent workers in agricultural fields

Pregnant adolescents working in agricultural settings face several obstacles due to their age, educational limitations, and harsh working conditions, which may increase pregnancy-related risks. This situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support strategies that target these risk factors, ultimately leading to a more favorable outlook for young mothers and their children.

To analyze the factors mainly associated with complications in pregnant working adolescents from 2018 to 2021.

A qualitative experimental study was conducted on 250 working and non-working pregnant adolescents living in the agricultural fields of Vizcaino, Baja California Sur. Data were collected through personal interviews, group discussions, and documentary reviews.

The general sociodemographic data revealed a mean age of 17 years, with an age range of 14 to 19 years. Sixty-four percent of the patients reported being in a couple, and 23% were single. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.8 ± 5.5. Regarding education, 40% of the participants reported primary education as their highest level, followed by 29% who had completed secondary education. Elementary education was identified as a risk factor related to pregnancy complications (RR 37.931, CI 8.379-171.709). A significant 65.2% of the respondents working as agricultural laborers reported working between 6 and 8 hours daily, including 1 hour for meals. This work pattern was also linked to an increased risk of pregnancy complications (RR 7.357, CI 2.715-19.938).

There is a significant public health problem among pregnant adolescent women of farm communities, with complications observed in more than a third of the patients.