Determinants of teenage pregnancy and knowledge about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women: A case-control study in Eastern India.

CONTEXT

Each year, about 21 million girls aged 15-19 in developing regions experience pregnancy, posing significant challenges for their health, well-being, and economic stability due to its vast impact.

AIM

To identify the risk factors contributing to teenage pregnancy as compared to Pregnancy in pregnant women in the rural area of the Khordha district with the assessment of their knowledge and, health-seeking behaviour (Contraception and STDs) among teenage and adult pregnant women in the study area.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Hospital-based case-control study conducted at Bhubaneswar's Community Health Centre.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study, conducted from April to July 2022, recruited 138 participants using consecutive sampling and interviewed them using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Chi-square and logistic regression assessed association and strength.

RESULTS

Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy include education below high school (AOR = 2.46; 95%CI 0.89-6.79), SC and ST caste (AOR = 2.34; 95%CI 0.94-5.82), having more than three siblings (AOR = 4.45; 95%CI 1.53-12.96), and lack of communication about sexual issues (AOR = 2.84; 95%CI 1.25-6.39). Awareness of contraceptive methods was 34.8% among cases and 56.5% among controls ( = 0.02). Regarding STD awareness and symptoms, 15.2% of cases and 42.4% of controls were knowledgeable and experienced symptoms ( < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that factors such as lower education, minority caste, having more than three siblings, and lack of communication about sexual issues contribute to early pregnancy. These findings could enhance existing ARSH platforms by integrating regular engagement and sensitization efforts.