Abstract:
Prevalence of teenage pregnancy is very high in the Central Region of Ghana. Although, pregnant teenagers are
perceived to be high-risk mothers, very little has been documented about obstetric outcomes among these
mothers in Ghana. This case-control observational study compared maternal and perinatal outcomes between teen
and adult mothers in the Cape Coast metropolis. Data on maternal and perinatal outcome variables were collected
with a data extraction form from maternal history record and delivery record books of 505 teens and 501 adults.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes for the two groups were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test and
odds ratios at 95% confidence interval. Prenatal services utilization was high among the participants. Prevalence
of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were low, which is comparable between the two groups. Spontaneous
vaginal delivery was higher in the teens with the adults having higher predisposition for caesarean section. The
adult mothers were more likely to have preterm delivery and babies with low minute 1 APGAR score, the teens on
the other hand had babies with significantly lower birth weight. The favourable and comparable pregnancy
outcomes among the participants could be attributed to the high prenatal service utilization. Improved access to
prenatal service utilization would produce better pregnancy outcomes.
