Fetal Outcome of Deliveries among Teenagers in Centre Region of Cameroon
Florent Ymele Fouelifack *
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Yaoundé- Cameroon, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of Yaoundé Central Hospital, Research, Education and Health Development Group “GARES - falaise” Dschang, P.O.Box: 31186 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Jeanne Hortence Fouedjio
Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of Yaoundé Central Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and BioMedical Sciences of University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and BioMedical Sciences of University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
Loic Dongmo Fouelifa
Faculty of Medicine, University of Lomé, Togo, School of Armies Health Services of Lomé, P.O.Box:14148 Lomé, Togo.
Felicitee Dongmo Nguefack
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and BioMedical Sciences of University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, P.O.Box:1364 Yaounde, Cameroon.
Enow Robinson Mbu
Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of Yaoundé Central Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and BioMedical Sciences of University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: In order to inform public health action, we sought to compare the fetal outcome of adolescent pregnancies with the non-adolescent ones.
Study Design: Retrospective cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Yaoundé Central Hospital, the largest facility of Centre Region (Cameroon) between May 2008 and March 2010.
Methodology: A total of 6041 deliveries were compared using rates, proportions, means and OR, the fetal outcome of adolescent (10-19 years old) deliveries registered at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, to those in their non-adolescent counterparts.
Results: Referred deliveries were significantly higher in adolescent participants compared to their non-adolescent counterparts (6.4% versus 4.3%, OR 1.53 95% CI 1.07-2.20). Non-adolescent pregnancies lasted significantly longer than adolescent pregnancies (38.46±2.72 versus 38.13±3.19 weeks respectively, p=.007). The former group had significantly higher rates of premature and post-term: deliveries (29.3% versus 24.5%, p=.041 OR 1.28 95% CI 1.01-1.62 and 4.9 versus 2.4%, p=.014 OR 2.11 95% CI 1.46-3.87 respectively).
The rates of cesarean and assisted vaginal deliveries did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (16.6% versus 14.6%, p=.207 and 1.5% versus 1.1%, p=.411 respectively). Babies born of adolescent mothers weighed significantly less (irrespective of birth order) than those born of non-adolescent mothers (mean weights 2984.80±647.81 versus 3190.72±645.45 grams, p<.001).
The odds of both apparent and perinatal deaths was significantly higher in the adolescent group (AOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.25-2.47 and AOR 1.69 95% CI 1.17-2.45 respectively).
Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancies are associated with poor fetal outcome. There is need for counseling and provision of family planning services to reduce their incidence.
Keywords: Adolescent, delivery, fetal outcomes, Centre Region, Cameroon