YMPO Research

Problem statement: Teenage pregnancies are a major public health concern due to the high number of negative pregnancy related outcomes. They expose young women to serious health risks during pregnancy and childbirth including perinatal and neonatal mortality, pregnancy-induced hypertension, Caesarean delivery, intra-uterine growth restriction, anaemia, premature rupture of fetal membranes, and preeclampsia, among others. In addition, infants born to teenage mothers are more likely to be low birth weight and preterm. From January to August 2020, United Bulawayo hospitals had 2443 deliveries and 308 (12.6%) were teenage pregnancies. There is no evidence so far documenting the outcomes of these teenage pregnancy-related referrals to Mpilo and UBH central hospitals.

Research question: What are the outcomes of teenage pregnancy-related referrals to UBH and Mpilo central hospitals?

Broad objective: To determine the outcomes of teenage pregnancy-related referrals to UBH and Mpilo central hospitals

Specific objectives

1. To determine the incidence of pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes among teenage mothers.
2. To determine the maternal mortality and morbidity in teenage pregnancy-related referrals.
3. To determine the perinatal mortality and morbidity in teenage pregnancy-related referrals.
4. To determine the HIV positivity rate in teenage pregnancy-related referrals.
5. To establish the breastfeeding practices in teenage mothers.