TITLE:
Assessment of Maternal Readiness for Childbirth and Childrearing among Adolescent Mothers in Ghana
AUTHORS:
Rebecca Dordunu, Gideon Dzando, Augustine Kumah, Anthony B. Donyi, Hillary Selassi Nutakor, Wonder A. Y. Amenuvor, Charles Komla Anagblah, Eunice Adorkor, Honore Mordenu
KEYWORDS:
Childbearing, Childrearing, Adolescence, Pregnancy, Antenatal Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a public health problem of concern in developed,
developing and underdeveloped countries. Trends in developing and
underdeveloped countries are higher and account for most adverse pregnancy
outcomes. Adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and
adulthood. The burden of coping with changes with this transition and at the
same time preparing for childbirth puts pregnant adolescent girls on edge.
Childbirth and childrearing are critical moments that require support and
specialized skills to nurture healthy infants. Aim: This study aims to assess
the readiness of adolescent expectant mothers towards childbirth and
childrearing in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem (KEEA) district of the central
region of Ghana. Methods: This study utilized the total
population sampling technique to collect data from three sites that offer
specialized adolescent antenatal services within the KEEA district of the
central region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and results
presented as descriptive statistics. Results: This study assessed
maternal readiness for childbirth and childrearing among 98 pregnant adolescent
girls. The study was dominated by late adolescents who made up 86.7% of study
participants. Regarding readiness for childrearing, the majority (74.5%) said they could not independently
cater for their children and will require some support. The majority (52.0%) have had
some form of counseling with a greater number (41.2%) coming from parents. Regarding readiness to
embrace childbirth, the majority (82.4%) of respondents said they had companions who were willing
to support them during childbirth. The majority (57.1%) of respondents have packed their delivery items although only 13.3% of
them knew their expected dates of delivery. About 37.8% of respondents had
knowledge of the possibility of having blood transfusion during
delivery. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy
is pervasive, and adolescent mothers require optimal support to ensure safe
motherhood. Health promotion activities must
be streamlined to meet their specific needs. Their significant others
must actively be involved in their perinatal counseling to enhance compliance
with health and wellbeing programs.