Factors associated with pregnancy outcomes of adolescents supported by safe motherhood action groups in Zambia

Steven Malinga, Malelo Ilukena, Dephin Mpofu, Thomas Chirwa

Abstract

Mortality related to adolescent pregnancy could be mitigated by lay volunteers in developing country settings. Using logistic regression, this study assessed the factors associated with pregnancy outcomes of adolescents supported by Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) in Zambia. SMAG visits initiated in the first 3 months compared to 6-9 months (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.82 p 0.017), >5 visits compared to one (AOR 0.09, 0.37-0.22 p<0.001), two (AOR 0.09 (0.04-0.23 p<0.001 ) or three (AOR 0.21 (0.09-0.45 p<0.001), and partner support (AOR 3.35, (1.87 to 6.0) p<0.001) were associated with >4 ANC visits. Partners aged 20-24 (AOR 2.58 95% CI 1.18-5.64 p 0.017) with low birth weight. No factors were associated with place of delivery or caesarean section. The timing of initiation and the number of visits, and partner support were important predictors of adolescents attending antenatal care, and partner’s age with low birth weight. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[9]: 133-141).

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