Factors Affecting Health Practices in Adolescent Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue. In adolescent pregnant women, health practices which are the activities that positively influence maternal, foetal, and neonatal health can be associated with various socio-demographic, psychological, and environmental factors. These can impact the outcomes of the pregnancy and the well-being of both mother and foetal. This study aims to identify health practices and associated factors among adolescent pregnant women.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary-care hospital. The sample of the study was calculated using a known population sample equation. A total of 128 pregnant women participated including 55 adolescents and 73 adult pregnant women. Data were collected using the 'Participant Description Questionnaire' and the 'Health Practice Questionnaire-II (HPQ-II)'. The research data analysed in this study were obtained from pregnant women who attended an antenatal follow-up clinic and who obtained informed consent to participate in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, USA). Comparative statistical analyses employed the independent sample t-test and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test; kwhen a difference was detected by ANOVA, the source of this difference was identified using the Tukey test. The Pearson correlation test was used to identify relationships between pairs of continuous variables.

The average total HPQ-II score among adolescent pregnant women was 110.6 ± 14.3 compared to 121.3 ± 12.2 among adult pregnant women. Average total HPQ-II scores differed significantly between adolescent and adult pregnant women (p < 0.001). Average total HPQ-II scores among adolescent pregnant women differed significantly according to income level (p < 0.05) and prenatal care status (p < 0.001) while it was significant differences between HPQ-II scores and education level (p < 0.05), health insurance status (p < 0.001), and employment status (p < 0.05) in adult pregnant women.

The reported health practices among adolescent pregnant women were poor than those among adult pregnant women in this study. Additionally, as income level increased, health practices among adolescent pregnant women also improved. Moreover, adolescent pregnant women who regularly attended antenatal follow-ups maintained better health practices. Additionally, adult pregnant women who had completed high school or higher education, were employed, and had health insurance exhibited better health practices. Therefore, it is recommended that the frequency of follow-ups for adolescent pregnant women be increased, that their health practices be evaluated, and that education and counselling services be provided that are tailored to their needs. Within the scope of the study, adolescent pregnant women had less access to healthcare services than adult pregnant women.