Effects of Pregnancy on Health, Society, and Finance of Teenage Mothers Living in Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

This mixed methods research aimed to determine the demographic data of teenage mothers and their spouses and to examine effects of pregnancy on health, society, and finance of teenage mothers. Samples for surveying consisted of 300 teenage mothers living in Chanthaburi Province. Key informants for interviewing and observation consisted of 5 for each group (teenage mothers, their spouses, and their mothers). The research instruments composed of a 7-part questionnaire with the reliability for 2 parts of .85 and .73., an in-depth interview guide, and an observation form. Data were collected from July to August, 2012. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

Results revealed that 1) teenage mothers’ characteristics: they gave first birth while aged 15-17 years old, pregnant while studying at secondary level, almost half of them had no occupation, and stay with their parents. About their spouses, aged 16-19 years old, studying at secondary level, present occupation was employee, and some of them had no occupation; 2) effects of pregnancy on health: teenage mothers had complications during pregnancy, in labor, and post partum. About their children, it was found that they had complications while staying at hospital, and a quarter of them had not received development assessment; 3) effects of pregnancy on society: a half of teenage mothers fostered their children by breastfeeding for 6 months, fostered their children by themselves, their income were indigent but they got parents support, relationship with family and spouse were at moderate level, almost had not received social support, and social accepting was at a moderate level and 4) effects of pregnancy on finance: teenage mothers lost educational and working opportunities.

This study suggested that the undertakers in school should follow their teenage mothers as well as encourage them to enroll in educational system. Moreover, health care providers should promote friendly service for pregnancy prevention among teenagers.