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Volume 4 Journal of Pediatric Care
ISSN: 2471-805X
Page 19
JOINT EVENT
August 06-07, 2018 Madrid, Spain
&
2nd Edition of International Conference on Adolescent Health & Medicine
18th International Conference on Pediatrics Health
Pediatrics Health 2018
&
Adolescent Health 2018
August 06-07, 2018
Poovendhree Reddy et al., J Pediatr Care 2018, Volume 4
DOI: 10.21767/2471-805X-C3-011
Obstetric outcomes and antenatal access among adolescent pregnancies in Kwazulu-Natal, South
Africa
Poovendhree Reddy, Govender T and Ghuman S
Durban University of Technology, South Africa
S outh Africa, like many other developed countries, is challenged by the under attendance and delay in initiation of antenatal
care (ANC) services among pregnant adolescents. Adolescents are more vulnerable to pregnancy related complications,
which may contribute to maternal and child mortality and morbidity. This study aimed at evaluating the under attendance
and/or delay in initiation of ANC services among young pregnant adolescents (13-16 years old) as a risk for adverse maternal
and birth outcomes. The research was based at a district hospital on the North Coast of Kwazulu-Natal. A retrospective
review of all young adolescent (13-16 years old) maternity case records for the period from 2011-2013 was conducted. Data
collected included ANC trends in attendance, obstetric and perinatal outcomes. A total of 314 pregnancies were recorded
among young adolescents at this single hospital over a period of 3 years. Adolescent pregnancy was associated with a risk of
late ANC booking and reduced ANC visits. The prevalence of anaemia (32%) was relatively high among the girls. Fifty percent
of all adolescents received episiotomies while, 45 (14%) experienced perineal tears. Logistic regression models found that
the condition of perineum was significantly associated with HIV status (OR=0.36; 95% CI=0.16; 0.84; p<0.05). HIV positive
mothers were more likely to have an intact perineum post-delivery. However, HIV positive adolescents were twice as likely to
be diagnosed with anaemia compared HIV negative mothers (results not significant). Underutilization of ANC (i.e. less than
4 visits) was significantly associated with lower gestational age (<37 weeks) (OR=2.64; 95% CI=1.04; 6.74; p<0.05). Fifteen
percent of young mothers delivered early (<37 weeks), 10% delivered babies with a low birth weight (<2500g) and 15% of the
neonates suffered fetal distress. Low birth weight, low Apgar scores as well as the incidence of maternal anaemia and pregnancy
induced hypertension (PIH) were found to be related to late ANC booking. Qualitative findings highlighted the perceived
barriers of ANC by pregnant adolescents. Interviews identified the following as factors that hindered access of care; financial
barriers, attitudes of health care workers (HCW), system barriers and fear of HIV testing. Urgent population based strategies
are required to encourage timeous initiation of ANC among adolescents. Strengthening of health education programs on the
benefits of ANC attendance among adolescents can be utilized as part of an approach to address the current public health
concern.
Biography
Prof Poovendhree (Poovie) Reddy (PhD) is a strong advocate for creating a critical and responsible citizenry through education and empowerment. Her achievements
in academic management and leadership, teaching and postgraduate supervision bear testimony to her philosophy. She currently holds the position of Senior
Lecturer: Programme Environmental Health in the Department of Community Health Studies. Dr Reddy, who is also a HELM LEAD fellow (Higher Education
Leadership and Management, HESA), is experienced in curriculum development and coordinates the Postgraduate programme in Environmental Health. She
actively mentors and promotes research development within her department and Faculty. Her main areas of interest include public health; genetic epidemiology;
epigenetics; maternal and child health; and water management and quality related to health risk assessment. She is a co-leader on the Medical Research Council
Flagship project (Maternal Health) and a team member of the Water Research Niche area at DUT. In addition, she is a co-investigator on a collaborative project with
UKZN and the University of Michigan which involves genetic epidemiology and epigenetics related to respiratory related outcomes and environmental exposures
in the MACE study (Mother and Child Environmental Study). Dr Reddy has 11 peer-reviewed publications in international and national journals, 11 peer-reviewed
international conference abstracts and 15 national conference presentations. She serves on the Editorial Board for a national and an international journal and is
a solicited reviewer for 5 international journals. She also serves as a member of various professional bodies and committees both externally and within the DUT.